Walt Wood’s guest column “Why I Love Our President,” was spot on. I hope his thinking is correct. He suggests that President Trump’s behavior will convince America that we need to actually Make America Great Again by undoing the damage he and his administration has caused.
Beyond political philosophy, Americans would do well having a president that displays the dignity and respect of the office by being a true role model for all of us and, importantly, for our children. I look to President Trump’s supporters to stand up to him and demand he modify his behavior.
Representative Jack Bergman would do well to do this now. Bergman has a long history of service to our country. He would serve us well by becoming less than a rubber stamp to condone the president’s behavior. I cannot vote for Bergman unless he starts using true leadership, even though he may feel threats from our president.
Greg Binsfeld | Maple City
Our Experience
On June 6, we two grandmothers from Leelanau County drove to GEO North Lake Detention Center in Baldwin. We had signed up to visit a detainee.
He is a 26-year old male immigrated from Venezuela four years ago. He lived in Shelby Township and worked at a company making car seats for three years. Two months ago he was picked up by ICE. He has not received due process or seen a lawyer. He has no criminal record, not even a parking ticket. His employer gave him two letters of recommendation vouching for his character and skilled work ethic.
His wife, 23 years old, is eight months pregnant with their first child. He has not seen her for two months and doesn’t think he will be allowed to be at the birth or see his new baby girl.
He only has two hours a week outside. He was a champion soccer player. He is responsible for his wife, mother, and sends money to his father and grandfather in Venezuela for food. He is Catholic, respectful, and has no business being held for deportation.
We felt very intimidated and depressed, and we got to leave.
Barbara Schneider & BJ Christensen | Leelanau
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For several years, the Manistee Amphitheater Foundation (MAF) has been working to fundraise for and build an outdoor arts and entertainment venue—dubbed The Dune—for First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee. MAF is kicking off their capital campaign with the first annual Dune Jam, held Saturday, June 20, on the site of the future amphitheater. The free concert day will start at noon with The Downtowners followed by Briar Payne Band, Luke Winslow King Trio, Domestic Problems, and Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers. A starlight drone show by the Great Lakes Drone Company will conclude the evening over the Manistee harbor. Plus, the Manistee Lions will be on hand from 4-7pm for their “Famous Fish Boil” ($20 donation requested). Learn more about the event and amphitheater at manisteeaf.org.
Petoskey’s Palette Bistro hadn’t planned on being closed for most of the winter, but a January deep freeze and a burst pipe forced them to close for several months of repairs. After a grand reopening in May, the restaurant is back at it, dishing out their summer menu for lunch and dinner (plus weekend brunch!) seven days a week. We stopped in for a bite on a sunny Sunday and instantly fell for the Crab Cakes, found on both the lunch and dinner menus. Packed with flaky white crab meat, this hearty small plate/appetizer is served over a honey-lemon arugula salad and gets bonus points for the delicious and creative harissa aioli sauce. Enjoy a meal—and some of the best views of Little Traverse Bay—at 321 Bay Street in Petoskey. palettebistropetoskey.com
Pink Chair Lunch
Pull up a pink chair and learn to manage your money joyfully with a little help from Michigan Girl at the Table! Discuss Women & Finance with Tammy Stoerkel, client advisor at Beck Bode, and Kandace Chapple, Michigan Girl founder, Thursday, June 18, from 11:30am-1pm at The Hagerty Center, TC. Share lunch and get to know other local women. Tickets, $65 or 2/$60. michgirl.com/migirl-luncheons
Hey, read It! Prestige Drama
Though it’s been decades since local golden boy, Jamie Davenny, was killed amidst “The Troubles” in Derry, the community still hasn’t quite recovered. That is, until news of an American TV series called Dead City—which surrounds the conflict—arrives, and with it Hollywood’s bounciest ingénue, Monica Logue. For the briefest of moments, everyone’s gaze returns to Derry’s renewed place on the global stage…just in time for Monica to suddenly vanish. Could Diarmuid, the show’s script-writer (and the last to see Monica alive) be to blame? Then there’s Ann-Marie, Jamie’s still-seething mother; Jonny, who runs to avoid his feelings; and Dympna and Turlough, who are each seeking different flavors of fame. Everyone is supposed to know everything about everyone else in a tight-knit town like Derry, but as the cast of Séamus O’Reilly’s debut novel Prestige Drama soon discovers, they don’t even know themselves. If Derry Girls (with less profanity) met with Law & Order, this satirical read would be it!
7738 N LONG LAKE RD
7AM-1PM EVERY DAY
First Annual Dune Jam
Pictured: A rendering of The Dune amphitheater.
2 tastemaker Palette Bistro’s Crab Cakes
Pictured: A Michigan Girl event at MiddleCoast Brewing in Traverse City.
TC-based Valor Skincare has always had a commitment to the Great Lakes, from their ecofriendly skin products to their low-waste packaging to their involvement with 1% for the Planet, an organization that helps direct revenue to environmental causes. This weekend, they’re hosting a community cleanup in Leland on Saturday, June 20, from 10am-12pm. Meet at the gazebo in front of The Find North 102 N Main St. and bring protective gloves, a reusable bag or bucket for collecting trash, closed-toe shoes, and a trash grabber if you have one! For an earlier start, join a donation-based yoga class at 9am on the beach with River Studio ($20+ donation requested—100 percent of proceeds to go to Fishtown Preservation). There will be complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the morning, door prizes from local businesses, suncare products from Valor Skincare, and more! See more details at facebook.com/ValorSkincare/events.
Stuff We Love: The Creativity Cruiser
Tis the season when lots of furry friends— domesticated or otherwise—will wander through your yard. Found a stray kitten? Go to TCPaw.org and read at their resources page for tips on how to help the kitty (food, shade/shelter, and fresh water—never milk!) while you call your neighbors and local shelter/rescue. For lost dogs, always start with animal control. When it comes to safely supporting wild animals, do not interact with or touch wildlife or unfamiliar pets without proper knowledge and gear. For example, don’t disturb a sleeping fawn, for mama is almost certainly coming back to get her. (You can have fresh water available, especially if the fawn’s ears look crinkled or curled, a sign of dehydration.) For injured critters or potentially orphaned baby animals, connect with your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center. You can find a list at wildlife.rescueshelter. com/Michigan.
Art & Connection of Elk Rapids is taking to the open road this summer with their brand-new Creativity Cruiser. Their brightly-colored van doubles as a mobile art studio, with the goal of traveling throughout the Elk Rapids area (and five neighboring communities) to offer “free art materials, hands-on projects, and opportunities for children to explore creativity in a welcoming and inspiring environment,” per their press release. Expect to spot the team from Art & Connection at parks, neighborhoods, and community events all summer long with their van packed to the brim with supplies and activities for all ages and skill levels. The cruiser was purchased with support from the Reid Family Foundation. Learn more and see where the van will be at artandconnection.org. (And be sure to check their Class Registration tab to see what classes are happening at their brick-and-mortar location in Elk Rapids!)
You could travel far and wide for a little coffee flavor fusion, or you could swing down to WildFlour Bakery in Cadillac for their Tiramisu Vietnamese coffee. Crafted using the traditional phin (aka, a small metal filter on top of the glass), this highly-concentrated coffee brews directly into a waiting layer of sweetened condensed milk, creating a bold and roasty coffee that’s simultaneously creamy and sweet. Wildflour’s signature version takes the treat level up a notch with a layer of scratch-made tiramisu cold foam topped with crumbled lady fingers and a dusting of cocoa powder. Decadent, balanced, and gloriously caffeinated, it’s the ultimate dessert in a cup—though you can also pair it with the real thing on Tuesdays! Have your ’misu and drink it too, hot or iced, at 105 S. Mitchell St. in Cadillac. wildflourcadillac.com
Pictured: Fishtown in Leland.
Photo byJanet Hickman
By steven Tuttle
The question gets frequently asked: Why do veterans only get one day of celebration when the LGBTQ+ community gets an entire Pride Month? Maybe it’s because we’ve rightly recognized veterans for a long time and they have not traditionally been the targets of relentless discrimination, both statutory and personal.
Pride Month, now recognized internationally, started in 1969 as a response to the Stonewall Riots and arrests the previous year. The road to progress has been bumpy.
According to the Human Right Campaign (HRC), about 31 million Americans, around 9 percent of our population, identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in one form or another (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, intersex, genderqueer, etc.). Unfortunately, members of that community are still the targets of online harassment, physical violence, and even legislative oppression.
Some 43 states have passed laws somehow restricting members of the LGBTQ+ community in areas ranging from child custody to work discrimination. This year alone, according to Anti-Trans Bill Tracker, an astonishing 793 new restrictions have been introduced and 55 have already been enacted, most creating some sort of roadblock for transgender individuals.
It’s more than just legal impediments afflicting this community. The Williams Institute at UCLA Law, which keeps track of such things, says members of the LGBTQ+ community are nine times more likely to be victims of violence than the rest of the population. The violence is not just a coincidence; the FBI says attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community are one of the top three reasons being given for hate crimes; just being gay is more than enough to be attacked.
Those traditionally most resistant to change seem to have the most difficulty accepting the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Pew Research Center, those most troubled by gender issues are usually 65 or older, usually white, usually male, attend church regularly, identify themselves as “strongly conservative,” and have not completed any level of college. Women who share all the same demographic and lifestyle metrics are significantly more tolerant.
The younger adults are, the less gender issues seem to bother them, primarily because they have grown up around the topic. They have friends with same-sex parents, might have gay siblings, and likely have LGBTQ+ friends. They absolutely do not understand what all the fuss is about since their friends and neighbors and teachers and all the rest pose absolutely no threat to anything.
In fact, despite the ongoing discrimination and obnoxious legislation, the issue was beginning to lose its edge as a political divider as we saw with our own eyes elected officials in the LGBTQ+ community behaving just as effectively, and just as poorly, as everybody else. A candidate “coming out” as gay used to be an electoral problem, but is far less so now. Or mostly less so.
Those who so delight at attacking this community have discovered their new wedge issue and are riding it into the ground. Yes, the new issue du jour for the haters is transgender individuals. Oh, my, they are trying to use the wrong bathroom so run for your life, and pass lots of legislation making their difficult lives even more difficult.
Gender dysphoria is a real condition, recognized by both the medical and mental health communities and defined by the National Health Service as a psychological mismatch between how they view themselves and their gender at birth. Some will have gender affirming surgery and a lifetime of hormone therapy as a result.
That many do not understand the condition or refuse to accept it does not discount its reality. People are not “pretending” to be something they are not.
Transgenderism and gender reassignment is extremely rare, not some epidemic poised to take over the country. According to the Williams Institute, only about 2.8 million people over the age of 13 identify as transgender, about 0.8 percent of the population.
And that takeover of sports? The NCAA says there are about 500,000 college athletes and 10—that’s right, 10—identify as transgender. Less than 0.5 percent of high school athletes identify as transgender, but that hasn't stopped 29 states from passing legislation requiring students to participate in sports and use school and public bathrooms based on their gender at birth.
There’s hardly been a takeover of the military, either. We have about 2.1 million active duty service members of which 4,240 have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants them all booted from the military despite zero evidence they negatively impact readiness or performance in the field. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have been serving this country’s military with honor and distinction while we were becoming a country and ever since.
We celebrate Pride Month to remind everyone that our friends, neighbors and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community deserve the same respect and consideration as everyone else. spectator
TRAVERSE CITY
OAK AGED W I LD BEER | P I ZZ A S | S A L A D S S A N D W I C HES | T R U FFLE FR I ES & MORE !
Summer 2026
JUNE
30
JULY
02 08
JULY
Artist Talk with Xavi Bou (Barcelona, Spain)
Join exhibiting artist Xavi Bou for a 45 min. presentation where he will share more about his artistic practice. Bou’s work explores the representation of animal movement through the technique of digital chronophotography
Dennos Birthday Community Day
Join us in celebrating our birthday with a free day at the museum. We’ll have giveaways on the hour in celebration of 35 years of The Dennos. Tickets are not necessary for this event.
TADL Summer Stoytimes
Dig into discovery this summer at the Dennos! In partnership with Traverse Area District Library, families are invited to explore stories, art , and imagination! This session will celebrate America’s 250th.
JULY
31
AUGUST
09
EVERY TUES @ NOON
Catie Newell Artist Talk
Newell’s artist talk will invite participants into her material-driven practice, exploring light , perception, and the emotional resonance of objects and environments.
Second Sunday Art Project
Take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
Drop In Tours
Come to the museum and join an informal tour of our current exhibitions with one of our docents. Tours are free with museum admission and will begin at 12:00 PM. Please meet by the front desk a few minutes before the tour begins.
250 YEARS MEANS MORE THAN CELEBRATION
GUEST OPINION
by Steward McLeod
As we approach our 250th anniversary, there is much history can teach us. Sure, we should celebrate 250 years as a country, but let’s not wander aimlessly into our next 250 years. This should be more than just celebration—we should be dealing with the present and preparing for the future.
Our partisan shouting matches and “myway-or-the-highway” talk makes me think back to my college days. My U.S. history professor—a true democrat—really liked Republican Governor Milliken because he could work across the aisle to accomplish what Michigan needed. It reminds me
In 1861, Lincoln brought together civilians to run our government and generals in the field who were finally able, by 1865, to save the union and end the Civil War. There were plenty of differing opinions, including when Lincoln turned to General Ulysses S. Grant. There was also the reliance on the likes of General George H. Thomas, who hailed from Virginia—talk about crossing the aisle!
In December 1941, the U.S. entered WWII with declarations of war on Japan and Germany. We had already been supplying arms to Britain, but this meant we were all in. The generation of those who suffered
we should learn that compromise and working together are not bad things, but what we should strive for so we can celebrate another 250 years.
of other instances when people came together and compromised to do things our country needed.
History should be one tool that our leaders use to accomplish good and beneficial things now, but also for those that come after us. That is not being done today.
There are many instances when our country came together to solve a crisis we were facing. But, three instances stand out: Lincoln brought together civilian and military leaders who might not have thought alike but could get us through a Civil War, saving the Union and freeing the enslaved people in our country. Further back, a group of men, who had many differences of opinion, met in Philadelphia and came up with our Constitution. This was sorely needed, as the Articles of Confederation had barely gotten us through the Revolutionary War and were not adequate to make us a lasting and vibrant democracy. A third time we pulled together as a nation helped win WWII. In all three instances, people did what was needed to compromise and sacrifice for the greater good.
As we think about what happened during those times, we need to consider what the people involved were about—especially the elected officials, but also those appointed to help bring things about.
In 1787, a small group met in Philadelphia with the common goal: to make our government better. But the divergence of opinions were great: north vs. south, east coasters vs. rural westerners, small states vs. large states, and those who thought the states should be prominent vs. those supporting a stronger federal government. No one got entirely what they wanted, but they came up with something they could accept and that still stands 250 years later: our Constitution.
together also proved willing to work together later in their lives. For example Senators Dole (R), Hart (D), and Inouye (D) all spent time in the same Battle Creek hospital after the war and later readily worked across the aisle. House Minority leader Gerald Ford, after arguing all day in Congress, often shared a taxi home with Democratic colleagues, engaging in pleasant conversation all the way.
All this should teach us is that the greater good outweighs personal or party ambitions. Our country needs leaders who will keep our economy strong and our democracy vibrant. Economic strength is for all, not just those at the top. Democracy is for and by “We the People….”
When will our current crop of top elected and appointed officials understand this? Will it be now, or only as we drop off the cliff, either economically or democratically?
Having studied history since I was in grade school, I have learned some important things. I learned that we should replicate the good things we as a country have done. Perhaps, more importantly, we should learn that compromise and working together are not bad things, but what we should strive for so we can celebrate another 250 years.
and the Chocolate Factory Saturday July 26 and Saturday, August 2, 7:00pm
Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Tuesday July 29 and Wednesday July 30, 7:00pm
Adults $25/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Sunday July 27 and Sunday August 3, 2:00pm
Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Northport Auditorium
Spirit of America by the Northport Community Band Saturday, August 23, 7:30pm •Northport Auditorium
Today our federal and even state officials could learn the same lessons from history. They need to work together across the aisle to do what this country and its people need. In short, they need to internalize the preamble to our Constitution and use it as a guide for all they do!
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free Northport Community Band & Village Voices Holiday Concert Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm Northport Auditorium•Cookie Afterglow in the lobby
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm• Northport Auditorium
Adults $20/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
Stewart MacLeod earned a BA in History at Albion College and an MA in Ottoman History at the University of Michigan. He then spent 30+ years as a Turkey area analyst for the U.S. government before retiring to Traverse City.
- 8/29 WITH GRANT SUPPORT FROM: NorthportPerformingArts.org AN EVENING WITH JEFF DANIELS Award-winning actor and musician Sunday, August 9, 3pm - SOLD OUT Sunday, August 9, 6pm* NPAC Auditorium
Renaissance Man
Sterling Nasa, a student of politics and international studies at the University of Sydney, found himself in an unusual spot recently: behind an electric keyboard during a live concert of the "La La Land" movie score. The 21-year-old was in the audience for the May 30 concert at the Darling Harbour theater in Sydney when composer and conductor Justin Hurwitz made an unusual request from the stage during intermission: Did anyone in the audience know how to sight-read? The orchestra's keyboardist had fallen ill, and local reinforcements were too far away to make it to the theater in time. "I figured nobody's as close as they say they are," Hurwitz said, "so I just thought, well, we have 2,500 people in here [in the audience]." Despite Nasa's background in music -- he plays piano, organ and bagpipes -- he was initially hesitant to volunteer his services. But with encouragement from his friend, he headed down to the pit. If being thrust into the spotlight weren't enough, Nasa also had to play a tricky piece -- John Legend's "Start a Fire," which has a complex solo that synchronizes with the character Sebastian's (Ryan Gosling) frenetic piano playing on screen. With no time to prepare, Nasa improvised the piece, earning him a rousing ovation. "To be able to play a really cool solo in the right key, in the right scale, on the fly with no rehearsal -- it was remarkable," Hurwitz said. [The Guardian, 6/1/26]
Goal!
Brenden Aaronson, 25, a forward for the U.S. Men's National Team in the FIFA World Cup, missed practice on May 29 for a very important reason: his wedding. He and his high school sweetheart, Milana D'Ambra, booked their wedding date over two years ago. Aaronson realized the scheduling conflict in March, but a conversation with head coach Mauricio Pochettino put his fears at ease -- he could take a day to attend his wedding without losing his status on the team. The couple married in New Jersey, not far from where they met. Aaronson had to leave shortly after the wedding to get back to the team. "It's not easy to be leaving on a wedding night, but she's been with me since the beginning," Aaronson said of his wife. "She knows how many days we've been through doing all the football stuff. For her to be as cool as she is is amazing." [Yahoo! Sports, 6/2/26]
Born This Way
Shelbee Dugger-Kemp of Texas has a birth story for the ages: She delivered her premature twins in the passenger seat of a moving car. According to People, Dugger-Kemp was at a campsite at the Texas-Oklahoma border with her family over Memorial Day weekend when she experienced stomach pain that she initially attributed to a bad batch of nachos. At 31 weeks pregnant, she decided it wouldn't hurt to pop over to the hospital to make sure everything was OK. Her husband's grandmother, Mimi, drove her, and on the way, Dugger-Kemp quickly realized
that her pain was actually contractions. "She said, 'Oh no, Shelbee,' and I said, 'Oh yes, Mimi, it's about to happen.'" With the ambulance 20 minutes away, the seasoned mom of four -- now six -- delivered two boys. Kane came first, at 4 pounds, 4 ounces, followed about five minutes later by Kallan, who weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces, and emerged still in his amniotic sac, known as an en caul birth. The baby boys were born about eight weeks ahead of their due dates but are doing well in the neonatal intensive care unit. [People, 6/1/26]
Oh, Rats
One Australian designer is taking ratty clothing to a new level. Rat Oddity Gizzard, known for using taxidermied rats to make unusual creations, recently released a line of clothing they're calling LingeRAT (pronounced like "lingerie"), Oddity Central reported on May 29. Unfortunately, it's exactly what it sounds like -- taxidermied rats sewn onto underwear. While the garments aren't meant to be worn, Rat Oddity Gizzard's Instagram audience begs to differ, with followers claiming to want to surprise their partners. The lingerie sells for $137 apiece, and yes, they do offer international shipping. [Oddity Central, 5/29/26]
Crime Report
On May 31, a French museum reported a theft -- not of precious jewels or a priceless painting, but of fruit. A banana, to be precise. The banana had been taped to the wall as an artistic piece called "Comedian," by Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan. A security guard noticed the banana missing from the Pompidou-Metz museum, and the museum has "lodged a criminal complaint for theft against persons unknown," Gulf News reported. The banana is typically replaced every three days, and the museum says this is not the first time the fruit has been stolen: A hungry visitor helped themselves to it last July. "Comedian" is valued at $120,000.
[Gulf News, 5/31/26]
Well, That Escalated Quickly
Eric Pierwsza, 48, of Butler County, Pennsylvania, is facing charges of causing a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct after using an excavator to tear down his family's house after his wife told him she wanted a divorce. On May 28, CBS News reported that Pierwsza had been out drinking, and when he arrived home, he and his wife argued, and she told him she wanted a divorce. According to the police report, Pierwsza told her, "If it's over, I'll tear the house down." And he did -- with his wife and two children still inside. Sounds of destruction could be heard on the 911 call. Pierwsza then entered the home to grab a gym bag and fled the scene. He was apprehended in a nearby township. Luckily, no one in the home was injured, and his wife is seeking a protection-from-abuse order. The house suffered irreparable structural damage and likely will need to be demolished. [CBS News, 5/28/26]
These Condominums are situated on the picturesque Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan. Suttons Bay is a charming village renowned for its breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay, unique boutiques, and exceptional, world-class wineries, all set against a welcoming small-town spirit. With its relaxed ambiance coupled with high-end amenities, this hidden treasure is an appealing destination for condominium buyers eager to invest in a luxury lifestyle.
SOUND SHORE
Flow
1 > Good afternoon, Chef! Most importantly, what’s on the menu tonight?
You’re asking on a great night! We’re working on our Thursday night prime rib feature. It’s our signature. Twelve ounce cut for $29 with sides. We’ll be buzzing tonight. It’s fantastic.
2 > Yum. Ok let’s back up a bit. You’re a face people around town will recognize…
Ha. Probably. I started in the U.P. in the 1990s, moved to Short’s Brewing briefly and then was at Palette Bistro in Petoskey for six years. Then I came here in 2023, so yes people certainly know me and my dishes.
3 > And there’s another face in the kitchens there that folks will know.
Our Executive Chef Rob Sargent was here at Sage, left and went to Barrel Back and The Pier and then came back a year or two ago. It’s an exciting time to be here.
4 > Big changes, right?
Yes, we rebranded and became a true chop house just a few months ago. We completely remade the menu, we cut our own steaks now, and there’s a lot of creativity and energy here. People are certainly noticing, too!
5 > The reception has been positive?
As I said, so much creativity, and they sort of let me experiment a bit. And I’d say seriously not a day goes by where I don’t get called out by a guest to thank me. It’s just a wonderful experience. I do always like to come out and just touch the table and hear straight from the customers.
Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Pomeroy is ready to seat you now at Sage Chophouse
6 > That’s pretty cool. So first let’s set the table for people who have never been or it’s been a while.
Sure. We’re a legit chop house right inside the Odawa Casino, though we do have our own separate entrance, too. It’s fine dining, though I call it upscale casual. Not stuffy at all. I really love it. Honestly it’s the smoothest, calmest, cleanest kitchen I’ve ever worked in, and that shows up for the customer too. The food is approachable and the dining experience is just fantastic.
7 > OK now let’s get to the menu. Aside from that prime rib for tonight, what else are you known for?
Our walleye for sure. It’s probably my favorite item on the menu. People call me out to ask about the recipe. It’s just a simple herb panko and fried, but there is something special about it.
8 > What else?
On Fridays we do a steak & lobster feature with a 4 ounce filet and a 5 ounce lobster tail. That’s a pretty big deal. We do “Half Off Wine Wednesdays” with half-off all bottles of wine on the menu. We have happy hour from 4-6 every day in our lounge area, with wine and specialty cocktail specials and half-off appetizers. And every week we feature different items, sometimes driven by the season, like our soup de jour that’s rotating. I did a soup cookbook back in 2011 and I pull ideas out of that.
9 > OK, wait. I have to ask about the soups because I have heard about your own personal signature soup.
Oh yes. It’s called Forest Floor soup. It’s definitely my most famous, and it won some awards. It’s inspired by cream of morel with wild ramps or we will do it with roasted wild mushrooms and leeks. We finish it with Fustini’s truffle oil.
10 > Wow. What’s the story behind it?
I came up with it for a soup and chili competition in the U.P. It reminded me of my grandmother, who had a patch of hardwoods on her property. We’d pick wild ramps and morels. I made it and it won the Peoples' Choice and Judges’ Choice awards. And then every restaurant I worked at people would ask for it. Palette Bistro still has it on their menu, but I have to call mine the original here.
11 > You mentioned Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars.
Yes, we have a great collaboration with them that started when we rebranded. We do bread service with their Tuscan herb oil and 18-year aged balsamlc. We love them and try to feature their products whenever we can.
12 > And desserts?
The desserts I make all in house. We have a creme brûlée with rotating flavors. We do a rotating fruit crisp, a traditional New York cheesecake. I make a peanut butter pie topped with chocolate sauce or concord grape and burgundy wine coulis that tastes like a PBJ. Every week we feature a rotating dessert, and right now that’s tiramisu.
13 > Between Chef Rob and you and that menu, Sage Chophouse has assembled quite the lineup.
Oh and there’s more. Our Front of House Manager Ryan Miller has been doing this for more than 20 years, and was formerly at Chandler’s and Spring & Porter. We have a team of great sous chefs. It’s just such a wonderful group here and we’re all focused on making the meal special for you!
Let’s Rock!
The official Northern Express summer 2026 concert guide
By Ross Boissoneau
If it’s summer, it’s time for music. From tiny Elberta to Traverse City, Petoskey, Wolverine, and elsewhere, the various town halls and park, auditoriums, listening rooms, and rock halls all showcase the sounds of summer.
Are there big national acts coming through? Sure, there’s Interlochen and Great Lakes Center for the Arts. What about local favorites? Try Northport’s long-running Music In the Park and Tim Scully’s jazz and blues artists who move across the region. But truthfully, if we had to choose our favorite, it would be C, all the above (or in this case, all the below).
While this is an exhaustive list, it is not a comprehensive list. Bars and breweries, wineries and restaurants all offer their own slates of performers. There may be a band or venue missing and there are the inevitable cancellations and schedule changes, so make sure you check with the venue or artist before heading out.
Now kick back, grab a ticket, a blanket, or a lawn chair, and listen up.
The Alluvion
• June 15 – Zuz and DJ Ras Marco
• June 19 – Claudia Schmidt
• June 20 – Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet
• June 21 – Vic Landa's Musical Birthday Bash
• July 17 – Nathan Graham
• July 24 – Bunkerman and Scott Pellegrom
• July 26 – Mandolin Carnival
• July 31 – Viridian Strings
• Aug. 1 – Adrianne Evans
• Aug. 7 – The Mad Angler and the Mad Cellist
• Aug. 8 – The Pickle Mafia with DJ Ras Marco
• Aug. 15 – Harmolodics
• Aug. 21 – Garaj Mahal
• Aug. 22 – Will Marsh
Baroque on Beaver July 26-Aug. 1: Soprano Martha Guth, St. James Jazz Ensemble, Brass on the Grass, Donegal Bay Winds, others
The Bay Theater
• July 8 – Chris Glassman Quartet
• July 29 – Sturtz
• Aug. 5 – Trillium Groove
• Aug. 25 – Song of the Lakes
• Sept. 2 – C. Burrows
Beaver Island Music Festival: July 16-18: Joe Bockheim, Sweet Megg, Skitchfall, others
Bay View Music Festival
• June 17 – Chamber Music Concert – Dueling Pianos
• June 20 – Don’t Stop, a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
• June 24 – Chamber Music Concert, Bay View String Faculty
• June 27 – Chamber Opera: Bon Apetit
• June 28 – Vesper Concert – From Broadway to Carnegie Hall
• June 29 – Yankee Station
song of the lakes yankee station
• July 1 – Chamber Music Concert, Bay View Wind Faculty
• July 2 – Straight No Chaser
• July 3 – Conservatory Student Recital
• July 3 – Student Artist Recital – Virtuoso Voices
• July 5 – Vesper Concert – Linus and Lucy: World Famous Duos
• July 8 – Chamber Music Concert – Composer Forum
• July 10-11 – The Music Man
• July 15 – Chamber Music Concert – Bay View Voice Faculty
• July 18 – Boogie Wonderband
• July 19 – Vesper Concert – Red Carpet Revue: Award-Winning Shows and Songs
• July 22 – Sunset Concert – Brass at the Browns
summer 2026 concert guide
Bay View Music Festival
• July 23-25 – Opera: Don Giovanni
• July 26 – Vesper Concert – You’ve Got a Friend (In Me)
• July 29-30 – Opera: Don Giovanni
• July 29 – Chamber Music Concert – Bay View Brass
• Aug. 2 – Vesper Concert – We Shall Overcome: Music of Civil Rights
• Aug. 7 – Chamber Music Concert – Bay View Brass Finale
• Aug. 7 – Chamber Music Concert – American Spirituals Intensive Finale
• Aug. 9 – Vesper Concert – Grand Finale
• Aug. 13 – Handbell Choir Concert
• Aug. 15 – Vocal Concert – mOthertongue: Lived Experience in Asian America
• Aug. 27 – Organ Concert: So In Love
• Sept. 12 – Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Concert –Ravel Piano Concerto
Benzie Symphony Orchestra
• July 12 – Benzie Central High School Auditorium
• July 18 – Lake Ann Brewing
• Aug. 23 – Benzie Central High School Auditorium
Beulah Music in the Street
• July 2 – Tim Jones & the Up North Get Down
• July 9 – Jabo Bihlman
• July 16 – Manitou Trucking Company
• July 23 – Dig A Pony
• July 30 – Bill Frary & the Frequency
• Aug. 6 – Kyle Brown & the Human Condition
• Aug. 13 – Sisters of Soul – Jenni Rae jabo bihlman
Blissfest, Harbor
Springs: July 10-12
The Infamous Stringdusters, Djangophonique, Larry McCray, others
Boyne City Stroll the Streets Fridays June 12 through Sept. 4: Various musicians
• June 26 – Full Moon Jam Band
• July 1 – Katherine Ryan Band
• July 8 – Wyatt & Sherry Knapp
• July 15 – Dags und Timmah!
• July 22 – Billy McAllister
• July 29 – Laura Crowe
• Aug. 5 – Melissa & Jake
• Aug. 12 – The Hazel James Band
• Aug. 19 – David Lawston
• Aug. 26 – Nick Veine
Boyne Thunder Friday Night Street Show
• July 10-11 – Music and other entertainment and activities
Castle Farms, Charlevoix
• june 19 – Northern Michigan Country Rock Festival w/Kenny Olson Cartel
• June 28 – Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
Cedar Polka Fest: Aug. 27-30 –Bavarski, The Diddle Stix, Dynabrass, others
Charlevoix Library Jazz Series with Steve Stargardt Trio
• July 9 – Steve Stargardt Trio
• July 16 – Steve Stargardt Trio with Crispin Campbell, Cello, and Joe Wilson, Dobro
• July 30 – Steve Stargardt Trio with Bill Sears, Sax, and Laurie Sears, Flute
• Aug. 6 – Steve Stargardt Trio with Rick Stewart, Trumpet and Vocals
• Aug. 13 – Steve Stargardt Trio with Claudia Schmidt, Vocals, and Laurie Sears, Sax/Flute
• Aug. 20 – Steve Stargardt Trio with Family & Friends
Charlevoix Live on the Lake
• July 30 – Traverse City Dance Project
• Aug. 6 – The Marsupials
• Aug. 13 – Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils
• Aug. 20 – Julianne Ankley
• Aug. 27 – TBA
• Sept. 10 – TBA the marsupials
Charlevoix Jazz Session Weekend
• Sept. 3 – Fog Horn Jazz Band
• Sept. 4 – Swingbone North
• Sept. 5 – Cat Daddy Trio
Charlevoix Venetian Festival
• July 17 – Air Margaritaville
• July 21 – Charlevoix City Band
• July 22 – Pinter Whitnick
• July 23 – Pinter Whitnick, War
• July 24 – Chris Canas, Union Guns, Pinter Whitnick, Pine River Jazz Big Band
• July 25 – John Stone, Jill Jack, the Kenny Rogers Band Pinter Whitnick
(231) 943-1453 • spanglishtc.com
Cheboygan Music on Main
• June 18 – Deficit
• June 25 – Serita’s Black Rose
• July 2 – Packard Family Band
• July 9 – Nick Veine & Ben Traverse
• July 16 – Lee & The Whiskey Wranglers
• July 23 – Petoskey Steel Drum Band
• July 30 – The Lonely Pines
• Aug. 6 – Vertigo
• Aug. 13 – The Beau House Band
• Aug. 20 – Dale Rieger & Friends
• Aug. 27 – Groove Mitten
petoskey steel drum band
Cheboygan Opera House
• June 21 – Chamberfest 2026: Parker Quartet with cellist Raman Ramakrishnan
• June 26 – Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
• July 5 – Chamberfest 2026: Cheng2 Duo
• July 17 – Mulebone
• July 24 – Soo Opera, Cinderella
• July 25 – Epic Eagles, The Definitive Eagles Tribute
• July 31 – Chamberfest 2026: Kodak Quartet
• Aug. 5 – The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
• Aug. 7 – Marrakesh Express, A Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Tribute
• July 25 – Flagship Romance and The Rough and Tumble
• Aug. 15 – The World’s Greatest Tribute to The Traveling Wilburys
• Aug. 23 – Northern Symphonic Winds – A Symphonic Celebration of Home
• Aug. 27 – Charlie Berens
– The Lost and Found Tour
• Aug. 30 – Cherry Capital Men's Chorus 60th Anniversary Show
Coyote Crossing Resort, Cadillac
• June 26 – Whey Jennings & Justin Jeansonne
• July 2 – Open Mic/Myron Elkins
• July 11 – Kendell Marvell’s Northwoods Honky Tonk Experience
• July 18 – The Wilder Blue
• July 23 – Open Mic/ Johnny Mullenax
• July 25 – Matt Mason
• Aug. 1 – Dylan Doyle & Bleau Otis Band
• Aug. 15 – Brother Maven
• Aug. 29 – The Insiders
Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey: June 19 – Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet feat Elvin Sharp & Jeff Haas
Crooked Tree Charlotte Lee Ross Concerts in the Park
• June 17 – John Richard Paul
• June 19 – Keith Scott Blues
• June 24 – Jacob McLeod
• June 26 – Boondoggle Cats
• July 1 – Amanda Jane
• July 3 – Chris Koury
• July 10 – Luke Woltanski
• July 15 – The Tweed Tones
• July 17 – Ed Tatum
• July 22 – Holly KellerThompson
• July 24 – Sean Miller
• July 29 – Jon Hayes
• July 31 – The Real Ingredients
• Aug. 5 – Finding Feathers
• Aug. 7 – Over There!
• Aug. 12 – Double Play
• Aug. 14 – Miller Lightner
Crooked Tree Live on the Bidwell Plaza
• July 28 – Two Track Mind
• Aug. 25 – Finding Feathers
Dunesville,
Harmony
Pines, Interlochen
July 24-26: Myron Elkins, Chirp, Go-Rounds, others
East Jordan Music in the Park
• June 19 – RPM
• July 2 – Jordan Valley Community Band
• July 9 – Jordan Valley Community Band
• July 10 – Madison Olivia
• July 16 – Jordan Valley Community Band
• July 18 – Up North Busker Fest
• July 23 – Jordan Valley Community Band
• July 24 – Kevin Wolff Band
• July 30 – Jordan Valley Community Band
• July 31 – Neon Crows
• Aug. 7 – The Rock Show Tribute Band
Elk
Rapids
Evening on River Street:
• June 24 – Levi Britton
• July 1 – J. Hobbs
• July 8 – Little Dippers
• July 15 – Nick Vasquez/ TC Knuckleheads
• July 22 – Dags und Timmah!
• July 29 – Sweetwater Blues Band/ShortStop
• Aug. 5 – Jellyroll Blues Band/ShortStop levi britton
Elk Rapids at the Harbor
• June 29 – The Rupple Brothers
• July 5 – Hannah Rose Graves
• July 19 – Eric Engblade
• Aug. 2 – Chirp
• Aug. 16 – Ted Bounty and the Bounty Hunters
Sauerkraut
Ellsworth Concerts on the Square
• June 24 – The Tradesmen
• July 8 – RPM / Drawbridge Uke Band
• July 15 – Jake Slater as Elvis
• July 22 – Sunshine String Band
• July 29 – Gospel Night
• Aug. 5 – Foghorn Jazz Band
sunshine string band
Gaylord Alpenfest
• July 14 – Epic Eagles
• July 15 – Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester, Mallrats
• July 16 – Drew Hale
• July 17 – Mega 80s
• July 18 – Attaboy
Grand Traverse Pavilions, Traverse
City
• June 18 – Beach and Buffet featuring Doc Probes
• June 25 – The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
• July 2 – NMC Concert Band
• July 9 – Mighty Tundra Tones
• July 16 – Jake Slater as Elvis
• July 23 – Miriam Pico and Friends
• July 30 – Petoskey Steel Drum Band
• Aug. 6 – Remembering Patsy Cline featuring Judy Harris
• Aug. 13 – Backroom Gang
• Aug. 20 – K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys
Emmet County Fair: Aug. 25 Travis Tritt, Lee Fayssoux
Empire Area
Emergency Fund:
June 18 – Anchor Day with street dance, band TBA EACC Emergency Fund concerts TBA
The Garden Theater, Frankfort
• June 20 – Daisy May And Little Dipper
• July 10 – Mason Via
• Aug. 14 – Cruz Contreras And The Black Lillies
Downtown Gaylord Summer Concerts
• June 19 – The Rupple Brothers
• June 26 – Jake Allen & TJ Rankin
• July 3 – Seth Bernard, Jordan Hamilton & Frank Youngman
• July 10 – Guys Like Us
• July 24 – Dueling Pianos
• July 31 – Tyler Roy Band
• Aug. 7 – The Galactic Sherpas
• Aug. 14 – Pinter Whitnick
• Aug. 21 – MotorCity Memories Band seth
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
• June 23 – Cole Swindell
• June 30-July 2 – Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America
• July 5 – Take 6
• July 7 – Westhuizen Duo
• July 11 – A Night in Noir with David Foster and Kat McPhee
• July 16 – Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra
• July 21 – The Barricade Boys
• July 25 – Chris Botti
• July 29-30 – Don Giovanni
• July 31 – The War and Treaty
• Aug. 13 – Amy Grant
bernard
Harbor Springs Friday Night Music in the Park
• July 3 – Underleaf Duo
• July 17 – Michelle Chenard
• July 24 – i. am. james
• July 31 – Seasonal Road
• Aug. 7 – Mr. Jake
Interlochen Center for the Arts
• June 19 – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
• June 24 – The Revivalists
• June 25 – Bret Michaels
• June 30 – A.J. Croce
• July 5 – Cristian Macelaru conducts the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
• July 10 – David Foster and Katharine McPhee
• July 12 – Earl Lee conducts the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
• July 14 – Collage
• July 18 – Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• July 19 – Jader Bignamini conducts the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
• July 20 – Rock the Dock with Ambrosia, others
• July 22 – St. Vincent
• July 23 – Emmylou Harris with Graham Nash
• July 24 – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• July 26 – Keitaro Harada conducts the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
Harbor Springs Sunday Music in the Park
• July 5 – Sunshine String Band
• July 19 – Kirby
• Aug. 2 – Rivertown Jazz Band
• Aug. 16 – Double Play
• July 27 – Brit Floyd
• July 29 – Jefferson Starship with others
• Aug. 2 – JoAnn Falletta conducts the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
• Aug. 8 – Renee Fleming
• Aug. 9 – Les Preludes
• Aug. 11 – Stray Cats
• Aug. 12 – Happy Together
• Aug. 13 – ABBA the concert
• Aug. 14 – Joe Bonamassa with Gov’t Mule
• Aug. 21 – Gladys Knight
• Aug. 22 – The Accidentals and Emma Zinck
• Aug. 25 – George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Marshall Tucker Band
• Aug. 27 – Brothers Osborne
• Aug. 28 – Braxton Keith
• Aug. 30 – The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight
the revivalists
Jammin’ on Betsie Bay, Elberta
• June 15 – Big L and Code Blu
• June 22 – The Ivas John Band
• June 29 – Rodney Whitaker Group
• July 6 – The Schleppinbop Kids
• July 13 – East Bay Drive
• July 20 – The Seth Bernard Quartet
• July 27 – The Mighty Tundra Tones
• Aug. 3 – Da Veonce & Dafunk Gang
• Aug. 10 – Planet D Nonet
• Aug. 17 – Charlie Millard Band
• Aug. 24 – Metro Soul Band
• Aug. 31 – Jeff Haas Big Fun Electric Band
• Aug. 12 – Open Mic
Kaleva Log Cabin Concerts
• Aug. 7 – Mary Sue & Mark Schrock
• Aug.14 – Downtowners
• Aug. 21 – Schrock Brothers
• Aug. 28 – Pocket Change
EXHIBITS
Lavender Hill, Boyne City
• June 20 – Willow Avalon
• June 27 – Lemon Squeezy
• July 7,8 – 1964 The Tribute
• July 18 – Bobby Alu
• July 24 – Unspoken Tradition
• Aug. 7 – Lavender Goes Pink With Thornetta Davis
• Aug. 15 – West Texas Exiles
• Aug. 22 – Damn Tall Buildings
• Sept. 5 – Horton Creek Bluegrass 9/19 Sionainn Laoi for the Boyne Heritage Center
Lavender Hill Local Ground
• June 20 – i.am.james
• June 27 – Owen James
• July 3 – Ricky Hill
• July 7,8 – Ryan Cassidy
• July 10 – Owen James
• July 17 – Alex Teller
• July 18 – David Lawston
• July 24 – Two Track Mind
• July 31 – Nick Visonti
• Aug. 7 – Robin Lee Berry
• Aug. 15 – Denning & Johnson
Aug. 22 – Ricky Hill
Sept. 5 – Steel & Wood
Sept. 19 – Full Moon Jam Band •
OLD ART BUILDING
WORKSHOPS
Little River Casino, Manistee
• Aug. 15 – Flo Rida with Cooper Alan
• Sept. 5 – Brett Young with Family Tradition Log Cabin Concerts, Kaleva
• Aug. 7 – Mary Sue Wilkinson & Mark Schrock
• Aug. 14 – The Downtowners
• Aug. 21 – The Schrock Brothers
• Aug. 28 – Pocket Change
Manistee
Roots on the River
• July 9 – Eric Engblade
• July 16 – Justin Wierenga
• July 23 – Serita’s Black Rose
• July 30 – Jack Senff and the Heartland Mission
• Aug. 6 – Ben Traverse & Nick Veine jack senff
Manistee Shoreline ShowCase, First Street Beach
• June 16 – Big L and Code Blu
• June 23 – The Ivas John Band
• June 30 – Rodney Whitaker Group
• July 7 – The Schleppinbop Kids
• July 14 – East Bay Drive
• July 21 – The Seth Bernard Quartet
• July 28 – The Mighty Tundra Tones
• Aug. 4 – Da Veonce & Dafunk Gang
• Aug. 11– Planet D Nonet
• Aug. 18 – Charlie Millard Band
• Aug. 25 – Metro Soul Band
• Sept. 1– Manitou Trucking Company
Manitou Music Festival, Glen Arbor
• June 8-20 – Cerus Quartet, various locations
• June 26 – A Brush With Music: Celebrating Harvey Gordon
Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville
• July 2 – Elizabeth Landry Trio
• July 9 – Blue Water Ramblers
• July 23 – Rebekah John
• Aug. 6 – Jacob McLeod
• Aug. 13 – Open Mic
Missaukee
Greatest
elizabeth Landry
4th in the North
• July 1 – Battle of the Bands
• July 2 – Finily Nielson, Jessey Adams, Broken Tip Jar
• July 3 – Dan Signor, The offbeat
• July 4 – Jessie Jones, Tyler Roy Band
Music on the Mountain, The Homestead, Glen Arbor
• June 17 – Alan Hewit & One Nation
• July 1 – Kevin DiSimone/Hilary James
• July 8 – Blue Water Ramblers
• July 22 – Randy Marsh/Cat Daddy
• Aug. 5 – Jabo Bihlman
• Aug. 12 – Seth Bernard
• Aug. 19 – Joe Taylor
• Sept. 9 – East Bay Drive
jabo bihlman
Northport Music in the Park
• June 24 – Chelsea House Orchestra
• June 26 – 1000 Watt Prophets
• July 3 – The Fabulous Horn Dogs
• July 10 – The Rick Hicks Band
• July 17 – Extra Crisp Dance Band
• July 24 – Igor and the Red Elvises
• Aug. 7 – Los Aztecas
• Aug. 14 – Neon Crows
• Aug. 21 – Broom Closet Boys
• Aug. 28 – Tundra Tones
Oliver Art Center, Frankfort
• June 12 – Viridian Strings
• June 20 – Viridian Strings at Pines of Arcadia
• July 21 – Solstice Ensemble
• June 27 – Manitou Winds
• Sept. 5 – Six Mile Strings
Mills Community House, Benzonia
• June 20-22 – Benzie Community Chorus
• June 14– Benzonia Area Community Emergency Fund: Sound Bath with Jill Mann
• July 11-13 – Benzie Community Chorus
• July 19 – Benzonia Area Community Emergency Fund: Deep Blue Water Samba School
The Music House Museum
June 21 – Pizza and Pipes with Dave Calendine
Music on Bear Lake
June 27, Aug. 29 –Artists TBA
National Cherry Festival, Traverse City
• July 4 – David Lee Roth with Ayron Jones
• July 5 – Bow Wow with Soulja Boy
• July 6 – Chase Mathew with Lauren Alaina
• July 7 – K and the Sunshine Band with The Spinners
• July 8 – The Fray with Augustana
• July 9 – Daughtry
• July 10 – Justin Moore with Easton Corbin
• July 11 – Ludacris
Northport Performing Arts Center
• Aug. 9 – Jeff Daniels
Old Art Building, Leland
• June 25 – 1000 Watt Prophets
• July 2 – Looking Forward: Crosby Stills Nash & Young tribute
• July 9 – Kyle Brown & The Human Condition
• July 14 – Warren & Flick
• July 16 – XTRA CRISP
• July 30 – Elizabeth Landry
• Aug. 6 – Zach Watson & Co.
• Aug. 13 – A.S. Lutes
• Aug. 20 – A to Z
• Aug. 29 – The Rebel Eves
broom closet boys
Paddle Hard
Yard, Grayling
• June 18 – Elvis, Sinatra and Jimmy Buffet
impersonators
Portage Lake
Onekama Village Park
• June 22 – Jim Hawley
• June 29 – Fifth Gear Band
• July 6 – Schrock Brothers
• July 13 – Great Lakes Brass
• July 20 – Ashley
Wineland
• July 27 – Roger That
• Aug. 3 –Acoustic
Madness
• Aug. 10 – Jake Slater
Elvis Tribute
Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts
• June 17 – Some Like It Yacht
• June 26 – The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
• July 2 – Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience
• July 10 – Outlaw
Apostles
• Aug. 14 – Greggie and the Jets, tribute to Elton John
• Aug. 28 – Karen Curlee sings the American Songbook
Saturdays in the Park, Grand Traverse Civic Center
• June 13 – Big L and Code Blu
• June 20 – The Ivas John Band
• June 27 – Erena Terakubo Quartet
• July 4 – The Schleppinbop Kids
• July 11 – East Bay Drive
• July 18 – The Seth Bernard Quartet
• July 25 – The Mighty Tundra Tones
• Aug. 1 – Da Veonce & Dafunk Gang
• Aug. 8 – Planet D Nonet
• Aug. 15 – NMC Summer Jazz Band
• Aug. 22 – Metro Soul Band
• Aug. 29 – Jeff Haas Big Fun Electric Band
SOL of the Lost Tamarack, Wolverine
• June 19-21: The Steven Hull Experience, Ramble Tamble, Galactic Sherpas, others
TOY HARBOR TOY HARBOR
SCOOP UP THE JOYS OF SUMMER!
Spirit of the Woods, Brethren
June 2: Luke Winslow-King, Robin Lee Berry & the Good Souls, others
Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields
Shows prior to featured Grand Prix competitions
• June 20 – Jeff Socia
• June 27 – Christina Teresa
• July 12 – Huggy Bear
• July 5, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, Sept. 6, 12 TBA
Traverse City Philharmonic
• July 13 – Civic Center Amphitheater
• July 20 – Civic Center Amphitheater
• July 27 – Civic Center Amphitheater
UpBeat Cadillac
June 18 – Big L and Code Blu
June 25 – The Ivas John Band
July 2 – Rodney Whitaker Group
July 9 – The Schleppinbop Kids
July 16 – East Bay Drive
July 23 – Seth Bernard Quartet
July 30 – The Fabulous Horndogs
Aug. 6 – DaVeonce and the DaFunk Gang
Aug. 13 – Planet D Nonet
Aug. 20 – The Charlie Millard Band
Aug. 27 – Metro Soul Band
The Venue Event Center, Cadillac
• June 15 – The Dayton Family
• July 18 – Yung Joc
• July 24 – Bubba Sparxxx
• July 25 – Drowning Pool
• July 31 – Blacktop Mojo
• Aug. 1 – Tiffany
• Aug. 7 – Moonshine Bandits
• Aug. 8 – Buckcherry
• Aug. 9 – The Ex-Faces
• Aug. 14-15 – Outlaw Nation Weekend
• Aug. 20 – Jeffrey Nothing
• Aug. 22 – Overtime
• Aug. 28 – Ugly Kid Joe
buckcherry
luke winslow-king
Jason Six-time country, into six (his presence was Young, Hedges. to Southern from acoustic
successful Garaj
The Garaj compared Return Brown. courtesy yeah, strength Haque group drummer/percussionist
Robin Lifelong raised East in Hancock in what unclassifiable. blues, with studio Gallery
The Originally together Hall one 2023, Dell featuring Murphy.
N’Awlins “People we’re
Chris Grammy-winning some Streisand, Aretha Simon on his Andrea traverses Bruford jazz
Seth Seth cause.” stages where himself He is dedicated equity, label touching electric
Jason Isbell
Six-time Grammy-winning Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit blend country, folk, blues, punk rock, and the Muscle Shoals sound into something all their own. Since picking up mandolin at age six (his hands were too small for guitar), he’s become an iconic presence on the concert circuit. Isbell grew up in Alabama and was influenced by singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Prine, and guitarists Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges. While his music traverses everything from Americana to Southern rock, his personal and heartfelt lyrics draw inspiration from his life and the lives of people in his region. His introspective lyrics and acoustic forays alongside blazing electric guitar make him one of the most unique and successful figures in the alt-country and singer/songwriter circles.
Garaj Mahal
The funkiest of jam bands or the jammiest of funk bands? Garaj Mahal can comfortably lay claim to both. Critics have compared the group to Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X, and Return to Forever with a large helping of Sly Stone and James Brown. Don’t forget those side trips to Indian-style music, courtesy of guitarist Fareed Haque’s sitar-esque excursions. So yeah, a combo platter of funk, world music, and industrialstrength fusion is the band’s calling card. After a seven-year hiatus, Mahal mainstays Haque and bassist Kai Eckhardt returned to stages worldwide in 2018. These days the group includes those two founding members, along with Oz Ezzeldin on keyboards and drummer/percussionist Hassan Hurd.
Robin Lee Berry
Lifelong Michigander Robin Lee Berry was born in Lansing, raised in Okemos, and began performing professionally in East Lansing clubs in the late 1970s. Studies at Suomi College in Hancock and Berklee College of Music led to her career in what might be called folk or Americana, but is really unclassifiable. Her music blends contemporary folk with jazz, blues, and elements of rock. She’s as comfortable fronting a big band or singing a capella with a vocal jazz ensemble as in small groups or performing solo. She’s recorded eight studio albums and performs around the area when she’s not running Freshwater Art Gallery & Concert Venue with her husband, Tony.
The Fabulous Horndogs
Originally formed when saxophonist Newt Cole was told to put together a group to play for New Year’s Eve at the Empire Town Hall in 1995, in the 30 years since then the band has become one of the region’s favorite party bands. Cole passed away in 2023, but the band continues to go strong, led by the horns of Dell Knickerbocker and Billy Gauthier, with a rhythm section featuring founding members Mike Marois, Tim Wire, and Jim Murphy. With bassist Bob Wild in the fold, the group blends rock, reggae, r&b, N’Awlins funk, jazz, soul, and swing into a heady brew that gets people on their feet. “People start dancing as soon as we start to play,” says Gauthier, “and don’t stop until we’re done.”
Chris Botti
Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has collaborated with some of the biggest names on the planet, including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, and many others. He toured for years with Paul Simon and later with Sting. His burnished tone has been featured on his own releases as well as recordings by the above and the likes of Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma—the list goes on. Botti’s own music similarly traverses territory from jazz to pop, rock, smooth jazz, and avant garde, as his work with Bruford Levin Upper Extremities attests. In concert Botti typically plays everything from jazz standards and pop covers to classical and cinematic music.
Seth Bernard
Seth Bernard could well travel with a sign, “Will play for just cause.” The longtime troubadour is a fixture not only on the stages of the Midwest but in meetings, rallies, and other places where environmental causes take center stage. Bernard calls himself a music maker, cultural warrior, and water protector. He is the founder of the nonprofit Title Track, which is dedicated to building resilient social-ecological systems that support clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment. He’s also the founder of Earthwork Music, and his label mates touch on some of the same folksy-Americana as Bernard. Comfortable with touching ballads, he’s also capable of scorching guitar work, blending rock with folk, electric with acoustic.
GIVE
YOUR KIDS A 1990'S SUMMER
Swimming Sailing Campfires
Climbing Ropes Campcraft Hiking
Unplugged, Back to Basics
17 Northern Michigan Summer Festivals
Local fun in the sun in for June, July, and August
By Rachel Pasche
With summertime comes summer festivals—big, small, charming, quirky, and everything in between. The long days and starry nights promise some of the best memories of the year, and whether you have some free weekends, are looking to explore local traditions, or just love the atmosphere of an event, these festivals (a non-exhaustive list) range from concert series to art shows to Shakespeare celebrations to food and wine extravaganzas.
1. Art in the Garden
June 27 | Gaylord | otsegocd.org/art-inthe-garden-festival.html
Get in the spirit of growing at the Art in the Garden Festival, presented by the Otsego Conservation District. The festival has something for everyone: artwork on display and for sale, free workshops, live music, and lunch from Tilly’s Grill. Admission is free, and the festival runs from 10 am-4 pm at the Otsego County Demonstration Garden.
2. Great Lakes Equestrian Festival
July 1-Aug. 9 | Williamsburg | traversecityhorseshows.com
Traverse City Horse Shows has competitions running all summer, but the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival is one of the biggest and best known, especially locally. Expect five-plus weeks of incredible equestrian talent in the ring, along with plenty for visitors to do, from dining and shopping to watching events in categories like jumping, hunter, and dressage. Some events are ticketed (usually around $15 for GA), but admission is free on non-ticketed days.
3. Cadillac Freedom Festival
July 2-5 | Cadillac | cadillacfreedomfestival. com
Ring in the Fourth of July along the shoreline at the Cadillac Freedom Festival. The weekend kicks off with a movie in the park on July 2 (9:30pm, after dusk), followed by a whole slew of festive events starting the morning of July 3, including a 5K race, craft and vendor show, car and motorcycle show, petting zoo, live music, foam party, and more. The fun continues July 4, with a parade and the continuation of the events from the day before.
4. Lavender Fest Fridays
July 3–31 | Boyne City | lavenderhillfarm. com/lavender-fest-fridays
Take in the scenery and tranquility of Michigan’s largest lavender farm at Lavender Fest Fridays! Hosted by Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City, guests are invited each Friday in July to enjoy a multitude of fun happenings, including yoga on the farm, live music, food and drink, guided farm tours, lawn games, and a scavenger hunt. Admission is free, and events run from 9am-2pm.
5. Fourth of July Art Show
July 4 | Harbor Springs | harborps.org/ page/4th-of-july-art-show
Harbor Springs is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 4th of July Art Show, held in Zorn Park. Stroll through booths with 80 artists’ original works at this all-day event from 9am until 4pm. In addition to work from professional artists, there will also be a Youth Artist tent space showcasing local youth works!
6. National Cherry Festival
July 4-11 | Traverse City | cherryfestival.org
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Festival and all the cherry fun it brings, including an amusement park, airshow, parades, cherry pit spitting, the dog frisbee contest, and more cherries than you could eat! Whether you run the 5K, watch the fireworks, attend a concert, watch the volleyball tournament, or indulge in some cherry pie, there’s no shortage of summertime fun.
7. Alpenfest
events is the Phyllis Olson juried art fair. There’s also a color run, farmer’s market, and book sale.
9. Venetian Festival
July 18-25 | Charlevoix | venetianfestival.com
What says Charlevoix more than a boat parade, swim party, and lawn games? Venetian Festival brings these festivities and more. The week is chock-full of fun events, including Aquapalooza, the Bridge Street block party, carnival, games and tournaments, fireworks, a parade, and more. There are activities for attendees of all ages, ranging from a kids’ day to an art fair.
13. Harrietta Blueberry Festival
Aug. 1 | Harrietta | harriettamichigan.com/ blueberry-festival
Since 2007, the Wexford County village of Harrietta has been paying homage to our favorite purple fruit: the blueberry! Expect live music, pie eating contests, a quilt raffle, local artisans, and the Leo Porter Memorial Parade.
14. Elk Rapids Harbor Days
Aug. 5-8 | Elk Rapids | elkrapidsharbordays.org
Soak in the small-town fun at Elk Rapids Harbor Days with carnival rides, an antique boat show, a car show, an arts and crafts show, and events including a morning paddle and yoga on the beach. Indulge in some tasty treats, enjoy live music, and enjoy the best of summer up north.
July 14–18 | Gaylord | gaylordalpenfest.com
Since 1965, Alpenfest has been a staple event in Gaylord. The Swissthemed festival encourages lederhosen and dirndls, and its five-day itinerary includes an artist craft show in the Alpine Village, a 10K and 5K run, plenty of carnival rides, and a ton of delicious eats.
8. Cadillac Festival of the Arts
July 16–18 | Cadillac | cadillacmichigan. com/cadillac-festival-of-the-arts
Enjoy art in many forms at Cadillac’s Festival of the Arts, which includes a weekend full of music, dancing, art fairs, artisan markets, floral demonstrations, food tastings, and more. Among the
10. AuSable River Fest
July 19-26 | Grayling | graylingchamber. com/ausable-river-fest
Rooted in the AuSable Canoe River Marathon (a 120-mile river race from Grayling to Oscoda), Grayling’s AuSable River Fest is a celebration of the riverside lifestyle. Events include the HUP race (an informal canoe relay), a classic car and truck show, a craft show, live music and concerts, and a kids’ day with familyfriendly attractions and games. There will be plenty of other fun events and programming throughout the week, too!
11. Lakeside Shakespeare Festival
July 23-Aug. 1 | Frankfort | theworldsastage.org
The returning Lakeside Shakespeare Festival is hosted by nonprofit The World’s a Stage. This festival features two weeks of performances of two classic plays: the comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the tragedy Macbeth, featuring professional actors from Chicago. The plays are performed at Tank Hill in Frankfort.
12. Kalkaska County Fair
July 27-Aug. 2 | Kalkaska | facebook.com/ KalkaskaCountyFair
Hosted annually at the Kalkaska county fairgrounds, this weeklong fair is a celebration of livestock, agriculture, handicrafts, contests, community, and 4-H projects. This year, the car show is returning on Aug. 1. Swing by to watch one of the events, admire the agriculture, or check out the hard work the 4-H group has put in.
15. Northwestern Michigan Fair
Aug. 9-15 | Traverse City | northwesternmichiganfair.net
If you can’t make the Kalkaska County Fair or if you didn’t get enough fair festivities, the Northwestern Michigan Fair brings more 4-H, agriculture, livestock, and handicrafts. There are also carnival rides, a rodeo, tough trucks, a demolition derby, and lawnmower races.
16. Michayw É Arts and Crafts Fair
Aug. 14-15 | Gaylord | michayweartfair.com
Peruse 100 booths featuring indoor and outdoor decor, homemade crafts, jewelry, artwork, natural products, and delicious food. There will be a kids’ zone both Friday and Saturday from 11 am-2 pm, full of activities for little budding artists. This juried art fair is held in the park next to the Michaywé’s Tavern Inn the Woods restaurant.
17. Traverse City Food and Wine Festival
Aug. 19-23 | Traverse City | traversecity.com/food-wine
Whether you’re a foodie, love local wines, or are looking for interesting farm tours, Traverse City Food and Wine Festival has it all. From regenerative farm tours (with ducks!) to whiskey tastings while you sail to thoughtful wine-paired dinners, this is a celebration of the local agriculture and culinary scenes in Traverse City.
Your 2026 Summer Race Calendar
70+ bike, foot, paddle, and boat races across northern Michigan
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors
Competition—friendly or otherwise—abounds this summer throughout the North. Whether you want to run or walk, SUP or kayak, road or mountain bike, there’s something for every racer this season. On your mark, get set, go!
>> JUNE <<
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Run Lake Ann 5K, Erik Florip Memorial Run 6530 First St., Lake Ann runsignup.com/Race/MI/LakeAnn/RunLakeAnn5K
Cold Creek Farm’s offshoot eatery-slash-market opens in June
All About the Heat
Let’s not forget about Cold Creek’s showstopper: hot sauce.
Cold Creek produces 18 different varieties of hot sauce. The most popular are the Sleeping Bear Sriracha, mild with red serrano pepper; the Groovy Green, mild and tangy with green serrano pepper, lime juice, garlic and fresh cilantro; and the Elberta Beach Peach, medium with peach, habanero pepper, and lemon juice.
By Geri Dietze
If you know Benzonia’s Cold Creek Farm, its organic produce, and its line of hot sauces (more on those below), you’ll be pleased to find that the new storefront, The Golden Beet, will open soon in Frankfort with an impressive and expanded product line, fresh vegetarian take-out, and a collection of vinyl for groovin’ during business hours.
The Beat of the Beet
The new digs replace the little red store at 529 Main St. and will be bigger and brighter, with vibrant colors, live-edge wood counters, and a lighted, glass brick focal wall. An open commercial kitchen will do active service in small-batch production, keeping everything fresh, anticipating customer preferences, and experimenting with new favors.
“[This will] be a fun, family-friendly, year-round space for locals and tourists to stop in and grab a snack, a meal, or a kombucha,” explains co-owner Julie Cramer.
Cramer developed an affinity for golden beets because of their mild flavor and versatility. She uses them on top of salads, in baked goods and dips, pickled, in slaw— the list goes on. She adds, “The Golden Beet is also…a nod to our love of music and listening to a ‘Golden BEAT,’ and a golden beet sliced in half kind of looks like a vinyl record.” (It sorta does.)
With plans to open at the end of June, The Golden Beet’s offerings will include a rotation of green salads with fruit or vegetables and fresh dressings, plus grain bowls, seasonal soups, sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, and kombucha on tap.
In keeping with the music theme, Saturday Jazz Vinyl Brunch lets you listen to curated jazz while choosing from breakfast wraps, breakfast salads, baked goods, yogurt cups, quiche, and fresh brewed coffee from Manistee’s Five Five Coffee.
And, we love these fresh juices in the cooler: Green Juice (kale, celery, cucumber, parsley, apple, pear), and the Golden Beet Juice (golden beet, carrot, apple, ginger,
lemon juice).
But wait, there’s more! Don’t skip the India-inspired Ayurvedic beverage mixes, which include the famous antiinflammatory Golden Milk with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. There’s also a selection of teas to peruse, like Hojicha & Maple roasted macha.
Patrons will also find Cold Creek’s hot sauces, Tropic Like It’s Hot Mustard, Asian Style Hot BBQ Sauce, and Steak Sauce. Look for 20 varieties of spice blends, including the popular Superspice, healthy Ramen Blend, Taco, and Betsie Bay (for seafood and veggies), plus blends for beef and chicken.
A Business Plan
So how did all of this—a restaurant, hot sauce, and farming—come together?
As it turns out, one scientist and one organic farmer make a pretty good team.
Julie Cramer met Chad Van Tol of Cold Creek Farm when she was managing the Grow Benzie Farmer’s Market and Chad was a vendor selling his produce and a small array of products.
“We realized that…expand[ing] [Chad’s product line would] be beneficial for both of us [and] our different skillsets…” Cramer explains.
Cramer’s degrees in environmental engineering and soil chemistry, with deep professional experience in laboratories and in environmental consulting, helped her to obtain certifications and licensing. Van Tol has a business degree, professional managerial experience, organic farm experience garnered at Trillium Haven in Grand Rapids, and certification in permaculture.
Their working philosophy relies on ancient Indian Ayurveda, the holistic healing system focused on good habits, nutrition, and natural therapies to prevent illness and promote wellness.
This fits with something Cramer picked up on a trip to Okinawa: “The phrase ‘Nuchi Gusui’ means that food and daily
rituals nourish the body, mind, and spirit, promoting health, happiness, and longevity.”
Down on the Farm
“[We] talk about producing food ‘from the ground up,’” Cramer says. meaning that the produce grows in healthy soil and water thanks to Cold Creek Farm’s use of permaculture, an amazing method using natural processes and systems.
For example, the soil is strengthened using natural composted additions, or amendments, to support healthy root growth. (No chemical fertilizer.) Crops are planted together to optimize nutrients—like planting beans near squash to optimize nitrogen—and growing multiple plants in multiple areas to always ensure areas of healthy harvest.
Other techniques include growing in zones to minimize loss, with sprouts close to home and an orchard on the perimeter; using raised beds to minimize water use and weed control; plus composting, and solarizing (covering an area) to control weeds. Farm animals (pets, really) are used for pest control: six chickens and six ducks, including Chuck the Duck, eat their weight in grasshoppers while also supplying eggs. Wilbur the potbellied pig and best bud George, the stray cat who stayed, provide back-up.
In winter, seeds get off to a good start in the propagation room where they grow in perfect light, heat, and humidity. The farm offers multiple varieties of kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes, sweet peppers, herbs, and edible flowers, plus scallions, shallot, and eggplant. Others get their start right in the ground, as soon as the frost is gone, including root vegetables, sweet peas, cucumbers, squash, and melons. Berries, herbs, lavender, and the apple orchard make up the perennials.
The farm is off to the races for the summer, and The Golden Beet won’t be far behind!
Find The Golden Beet at 1048 Main St., Frankfort, behind Family Fare, in front of the food trucks. Learn more about Cold Creek Farm at ccfbenzonia.com.
A few other favorites include the Hellraiser, medium taco sauce with tomato, habanero, lime juice, and coriander; the Burning Embers, a medium blend with habanero peppers; and the Deathstalker, superhot with Carolina Reaper pepper. (You’ve been warned!)
Cold Creek Farm mainly uses Fresno, serrano, habanero, ghost, and Carolina Reaper, chosen because the heat comes “from behind”—taste the sauce first, and the heat comes after— making them ideal for hot sauces. (Conversely, peppers like cayenne and Scorpion have heat “up front” thereby losing the flavor of the sauce.)
“We experiment every year… choosing varieties that may work well for our hot sauces and also grow well in this climate,” says Van Tol. He explains that peppers have a specific shape, color, and “thickness” to their wall, but that it is easy to “get lost” in the variety, and so they look to “favorite growers for indications of heat,” as measured in Scoville Heat Units, for “preferred growing conditions, and flavor.”
Sauces are “part science and part experiment,” Van Tol notes, and while they must keep to a general formula for licensing purposes, beyond that, “the sky’s the limit.”
One favorite of his is the Orange Screamsicle with orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla bean. Another is Korean Style, “where we…hit the Asian flavor notes of spicy serrano pepper, sweet pears, bitter sesame oil, salty pink Himalayan Sea salt, and sour vinegar [and] lime juice to create a beautifully balanced hot sauce.”
The Michigan Heatseeker is a new strain of pepper cultivated at Cold Creek Farm exclusively, “with help from the bees,” as part of their proprietary “Seed to Sauce” program. It’s a cross between Thai and Hungarian peppers “with low heat…but huge flavor.” The sauce is complemented by lime juice and garlic, and goes on everything.
Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4. Downtown Alden (231) 331-4845
ASPARAGUS FOR ALL Inside the Ingredients
By Nora Rae Pearl
The road marker to summer is chalkboard signs reading “ASPARAGUS! TURN HERE!”
Nothing says we’ve arrived more than bright green stalks, freshly harvested from the oncefrozen tundra. To honor this exciting time, we have made Asparagus Tempura and Cream of Asparagus Soup. Our favorite asparagus comes from Norconk Farms located in Honor, and if we are unable to get there, we love Riley Orchards Asparagus from Mears (carried throughout stores across northern Michigan).
ASPARAGUS TEMPURA
One could argue that this is the grown up french fry… made from asparagus, of course.
Tempura Ingredients
• 2 lbs. asparagus, woody ends trimmed
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 cup chilled club soda
• 1 large egg
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Salt
Mustard Sauce Ingredients
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of each salt and pepper
To make the sauce: Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.
To make the tempura: In a large stockpot with tall sides, heat 1½ inches of oil to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, set up a dredging and dipping station. In one large shallow dish, such as a square cake pan or something similar, add half a cup of flour in an even layer. Set aside. In another large shallow dish, beat one egg. Add the club soda and mix gently until just combined. Gently fold in the remaining 1 cup of flour until just combined—it is okay if it is still slightly lumpy. Working a few stalks at a time, dredge the asparagus in the flour, shake off excess, then dip in the batter. Carefully place in the hot oil and fry for one to two minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and place on a wire rack lined with paper towel to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately with mustard sauce.
If spring becoming summer had to be defined by a soup, this would be it.
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup diced yellow onion, about 1 large
• 2 lbs. asparagus
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. Gorgonzola cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
To prepare the asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Cut off 3-inch tips from half of the asparagus. Place in a small roasting pan, drizzle with enough olive oil to lightly coat, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast at 415 degrees until lightly crisped, around 15 to 20 minutes. Cut the remaining asparagus into 1/2 inch pieces. Set aside.
To make the soup: In a large stockpot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add the asparagus, sauté for five minutes. Add the broth, bring to a boil, and then let simmer for around 10 minutes until the asparagus is just tender. Take off the heat, add the heavy cream, and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Crumble 6 oz. of the Gorgonzola into the soup, gently stir in. Taste, then season with salt and pepper. To serve, add Gorgonzola crumbles and a few pieces of roasted asparagus tips to each bowl.
CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH GORGONZOLA
Just read 15 minutes a day and hit your goal!
Ongoing
Woodmere Clubhouse: Tues 10 am - Noon
June 1
Library Fun This Summer!
Program locations follow events below:
Woodmere - 610 Woodmere
EBB - East Bay Branch Library
KBL - Kingsley Branch Library
Signup begins! Accept the challenge in Beanstack or signup at your library
June 10 -TADL Summer Storytimes at the Dennos Museum, 1 1 am
June 12 - Fireside Chat at the Boardman River Nature Center 5 to 7 pm
June 15 - Dino-mite Summer Kickoff, 10 am - 1 pm
Two Spoonman shows: 11 am, 4 pm (Woodmere)
June 16
Wigglers Storytime, Tuesdays at 10:30 am (KBL) Conf
July 8
Dino-mite East Bay Kickoff Party, 11:30 - 1 pm (EBB)
Teen Craft: Dinosaur Jewelry Dish Part 1, 2 pm (Woodmere)
June 17
Rainbow beading for teens with Upnorth Pride, 2- 3:30 pm (Woodmere)
NatureMakers with the Grand Trav Conservation Dist , 4 pm (Woodmere)
June 18
Family Fun Day at Camp Greilick, 1 1 am to 2 pm (EBB/KBL
Gr Lakes Children’s Museum I Can Dig It! 10 am - Noon (Woodmere)
Tween Yogasaurus Time, 4 pm (Woodmere)
June 19
Funday Friday with 4-H, 2 pm (Woodmere) Challenge Island at East Bay, 3 pm (EBB)
June 23
Teen Craft: Dinosaur Jewelry Dish Part 2, 2 pm (Woodmere)
June 24
Teen Craft: DIY Dino Pillow, 2 pm (Woodmere)
NatureMakers with Oryana, 4 pm (Woodmere)
Movie: Your Dinosaur is Wrong (The Bone Wars), 6 pm (Woodmere)
June 25
Great Lakes Children’s Mobile Museum, 1 1 am (KBL)
Professor Juggleschnitzel Program, 1 1 am (Woodmere)
Summer Storytelling Workshop with local author Ashlee Cowles, 10:30 am (EB - registration required)
June 26 - Raptor Visit with North Sky Raptor Sanctuary, 3 pm (EBB)
June 29 - Tie Dye for Teens, 2 pm (Woodmere)
July 1 - NatureMakers with Challenge Island, 4 pm (Woodmere)
July 2 - Build a Cardboard Dinosaur, 10 am - 1 pm (Woodmere)
July 3
Funday Friday with 4-H, 2 pm (Woodmere) Make & Take Dino Slime for all ages (EBB)
July 4 - All libraries closed
July 6 - Fossils of Michigan with the Michigan Science Center Three shows! 10 am, 1 1 am, & 1 pm (Woodmere)
Free Sack Lunches for Kids & Teens from
Feeding America West Michigan
Woodmere & Kingsley (KBL)
Mon - Fri 1 1 am - 12:30 pm
East Bay Branch Library Tues - Fri 1 1:30 am - 1 pm
TADL Summer Storytimes at the Dennos Museum, 1 1 am (Woodmere)
Lego Dino Build, Noon to 3 pm (Woodmere)
July 9
Clark Lewis the Stunt Juggler, 10:30 am (KBL)
Cheer us on in the Cherry Festival Parade! Downtown TC, 6 pm
July 13 - Teen Escape Room (Dino Theme), 2 pm (Woodmere)
July 14 - Teen Craft: Glitter Dinosaur Earrings, 2 pm
July 15 - NatureMakers with the GTA Children’s Garden, 4 pm (Woodmere)
July 16
Fossil & Artifact Exploration with Steven Veatch, 1 1 am (KBL)
The Magic of You! Magic Show with Cody Clark (Woodmere)
1 1 am and 4 pm showtimes, Clark is a magician & advocate for those with autism
July 17
Funday Friday with 4-H, 2 pm (Woodmere)
Fossil Dig with Great Lakes Children’s Museum, 3 pm (EBB)
Dino-mite Friday Free Movie, 6 pm (Woodmere)
July 18 - Teens: Unearth the story of your health, 1 pm (Woodmere)
July 22 - NatureMakers with the Pebble Pups & Steve Veatch, 4 pm (Woodmere)
July 23 - Foam Party at the GTC Civic Center! 11 am to Noon
July 23 - Finale Party, 4 pm (KBL)
July 24
July 7 - Very Fairy Jamberry Cherry Festival Event, 2 pm (TC Bot anical Gardens)
Funday Friday with 4-H, 2 pm (Woodmere)
National Park Service Mobile Visit, 3 pm (EBB) Teen Lock-In, 8 pm to 8 am (Woodmere)
July 27 - Big prize drawing time!
Get all your reading minutes in by 9 pm.
July 29 - DINO-MITE FINALE PARTIES (Hull Park)
Wear a dino costume if you have one!
Pre-Readers with Miriam Pico-Younce, 1 1 am
All ages community party , 6 pm
WORLD RECORD AT TEMPT -Most people dressed as dinosaurs, reading in one place! Count time 7 pm
Teen Lock-in 8 pm Fri 7/24 to 8 am Sat. 7/25 Teens 13-18 only tadl org/summerlockin
REAL PATRIOTS FACE REALITY
guest opinion by Karen Mulvahill
The best friend of a nation is he who most faithfully rebukes her for her sins—and he her worst enemy who, under the specious … garb of patriotism seeks to excuse, palliate or defend them.
–Frederick Douglass
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s Declaration of Independence, there is a blatant effort underway by our current administration to rewrite history, under the misnomer “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”
The purpose is to correct supposedly negative narratives and present “our Nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness.” Combined with the administration’s goal to end diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, a key result is the erasure from the historical record of many of the accomplishments of women, people of color, Native Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, and the disabled.
When the Defense Department was ordered to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion material from its websites, it removed approximately 26,000 images. Four out of five depicted women, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and racial minorities. The Department of the Interior removed Independence Hall’s slavery exhibit, which included a memorial to people enslaved by George Washington at the site of his Philadelphia residence.
Attempts were made on government databases to minimize Harriet Tubman’s role in the Underground Railroad, eliminate mention of Jackie Robinson’s military service, and erase the Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Code Talkers. These efforts were met with such public outrage that the information was reinstated. But many other historical facts that honor minority groups or their members have disappeared.
Concurrently, statues of white men who led the Confederacy and fought for their “right” to own Black people have been reinstated, even in our capital. The names of military bases are being changed back to honor such men, even though expressly prohibited by Congress in 2020.
We are fortunate that our history includes many people of integrity and courage who were willing to criticize our country in an effort to make it better. As July 4 nears, let’s celebrate them and be inspired by them to stand up for our values.
Frederick Douglass had escaped enslavement in 1838 and eventually began speaking before large crowds in the north about the evils of slavery. Because of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, at any moment he could’ve been captured and returned to
his “owner.” Yet he persisted, despite angry mobs and the threat of re-enslavement.
In 1877, Chief Joseph refused the U.S. government’s order that his Nez Perce tribe leave their homeland in Oregon to make room for further white settlement.
Government troops attacked and pursued them over 1,300 miles as they attempted to escape to Canada. They were captured and forced to settle on a reservation in Kansas.
“The earth is the mother of all people,” said Chief Joseph in a speech in 1879, “and all people should have equal rights upon it.”
Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman senator, spoke out against Joseph McCarthy and her fellow Republicans for playing upon the public’s fear of communism. In the early 1950s, Joseph McCarthy’s unfounded accusations of Communists in the government caught fire in Washington and ruined many people’s lives. “It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniques … that … will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.” Only six other Republican senators supported her. However, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and McCarthy was ultimately disgraced.
Ron Kovic became an anti-Vietnam War activist following his paralysis in 1968 from a battlefield injury. He led sit-ins, hunger strikes, and protests against the war and worked to draw attention to the poor treatment provided to soldiers by the Veterans Administration. “I have come to believe there is nothing in the lives of human beings more terrifying than war and nothing more important than for those of us who have experienced it to share its awful truth,” he said.
As a young man, John Lewis participated in civil rights sit-ins and protests, for which he was severely beaten and arrested on more than one occasion. He led the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 that culminated in police violence against the non-violent protestors. He continued to work for civil rights, ultimately as a Representative in the House, until his death in 2020. He once said, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.”
In eulogizing John Lewis, President Obama said that he embodied “that idea that any of us ordinary people … can somehow point out the imperfections of this nation and come together and challenge the status quo … to remake this country that we love until it more closely aligns with our highest ideals.”
Eight million of us “ordinary people” showed up for the most recent No Kings protest. I find that inspiring.
Karen Mulvahill is a writer living in northern Michigan. Her new book, The Lost Woman, is now available.
AREA IN
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Bentley Tritoons & Lunds • Great for families Lake day adventures • Easy reservations • Quick pickup process • Towable add-ons available
Water 101
What the Watershed Center wants you to know about our waterways
By Drew VanDrie
As summer rolls around and the warm weather finally arrives, locals and visitors alike are turning to the most alluring place in northern Michigan—the water! From sultry beach days to a calming paddle, the summer season revolves around our rivers and lakes.
And while these bodies of water may seem like unchanging constants, they are all part of a larger watershed that is interconnected, continually flowing, and continually changing. Northern Express connected with Heather Smith, waterkeeper at The Watershed Grand Traverse Bay, to check in on the region’s water health, recent impacts, and important need-to-knows for beachgoers and water lovers this summer.
Q. How are the water levels?
A. Average
The water levels in the Great Lakes, and more locally in the Grand Traverse bays, are known to fluctuate from year to year. From record highs seen in 2019-2020, to less dramatic depths, the shape of the watershed and the bodies they flow into is always evolving.
But readers may be surprised to learn that despite the dramatic flooding northern Michigan experienced in April, lake levels are on track for an average season.
“Water levels in Lake Michigan/Huron— which is considered one lake because of
the hydrologic connection at the Straits of Mackinaw—levels are sitting right around the long-term monthly average,” says Smith.
She points to water elevation being in the “sweet spot” of not too high nor too low. “There’s not necessarily good or bad water levels,” says Smith, but notes that extreme highs can cause issues like erosion, coastal flooding, and property damage and that extreme lows can reduce habitat and navigation access.
That’s not to say that the record wet April did not have some dramatic impacts. As a result of extensive snowmelt and sustained precipitation, the change in lake levels at that time was striking. “Lake Michigan gained about a foot of water over the month,” says Smith. “You think about how big Lake Michigan and Huron are for it to come up a foot in elevation in a month. That is a lot of water in the system.”
Q. Is our watershed healthy?
A. For the most part
Due to the interconnected nature of the watershed and its systems, Smith says it is difficult to give a blanket assessment to the water quality as a whole. “It’s so variable,” she says. “It would be difficult to assign something because there are so many different water bodies and water ways.”
Smith does note that in general Grand Traverse Bay is in good condition. “The water quality in the bay itself is very high quality,” she says. “When we look at things
like nutrients in the open water, it’s a pretty clear, oligotrophic, low nutrient, high quality embayment.”
But where a body of water may do well in one area, it may be experiencing challenges in another. Invasive species are an issue of note for Grand Traverse Bay, with nuisance species like quagga and zebra muscles, the New Zealand mud snail, and round gobies to name a few.
“The Great Lakes are an ever-changing, experimental ecosystem in that invasive species are continuously changing how the food web operates,” Smith says. “So it’s always in flux.”
Another challenge facing the watershed is runoff and chemicals entering from tributaries such as Kids Creek entering the Boardman-Ottaway River.
“We’re seeing chloride levels, especially after snowmelt events, really spiking due to all the impervious surface and the winter road salt we use in the watershed,” says Smith. Chloride is not filtered well by soil and plants and so can be toxic to aquatic life once it enters the system. These pulses of influx into the watershed can have detrimental effects on fish and wildlife in the stream.
Q. Why do beaches close?
A. Too much E. coli
As much as everyone enjoys a vacation filled with uninterrupted beach days, there are conditions which warrant beach closures.
Within Grand Traverse Bay, one of the most common causes of closure is elevated levels of harmful E. coli. This bacteria can pose a public health threat with the potential for illness and is often used as an “indicative organism” when testing the water or calling for a closure.
“The presence of E. coli in surface water indicates fecal contamination,” says Smith. “So it [the water] can be a host of other harmful pathogens and bacteria or viruses that can accompany the E. coli.” E. coli is often introduced into the bays following a heavy rain event and the resulting stormwater being washed into the watershed.
“We have beaches that are close to stormwater outfalls,” says Smith. “So if there’s a really big rain, think about all that precipitation falling on sidewalks and roads, parking lots. It picks up all the pollutants on those surfaces,” she says. That stormwater is either minimally treated or untreated and as the water empties into the bay it can carry those contaminants with it.
To keep beachgoers safe, The Watershed Center participates in the Healthy Beaches program from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Coordinating with the health departments of Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau counties, area beaches are tested for E. coli every Wednesday with results (and potential closures) posted by noon on Thursday. Results can be found in a variety of locations including the Watershed Center’s Facebook
Photo by Beth Price Photography; courtesy of the Watershed Center
page, and the Grand Traverse County Health Department website. Any beach indicating high bacteria levels will have posted advisories and be retested until they return to acceptable levels.
Q. What do you find on a beach cleanup?
A. All sorts of things, but so much plastic
Part of being a responsible beachgoer means respecting the resource and leaving it safe, clean, and enjoyable for the next person. Every spring, The Watershed Center hosts an Earth Day weekend beach clean up, and this April, volunteers in Traverse City removed around 250 pounds of garbage from the West End/Volleyball beaches.
Much of the debris was washed ashore over the winter and spring and included everything from boat cushions to pieces of
decking. The number one category of trash though? Plastic.
“The typical things that we find are plastic debris,” says Smith. “Soda bottles and plastic fragments and food wrappers and films.”
Smith notes that this is a larger ongoing issue and that plastic pollution is much more prevalent than perhaps was once thought. “We used to think that plastic pollution used to be for really big metropolitan areas,” she says, “but we are finding it in Grand Traverse Bay in concentrations that are alarming.”
Ultimately Smith says that a clean beach relies on mindful beachgoers.
“We encourage folks to do their own clean up,” she says. Bringing a grocery bag to dispose of trash or picking up debris left by others can go a long way. Rethinking plastic consumption can also have lasting effects
toward a healthier beach. “It’s an everyday action,” says Smith. “It’s really going to take all of us collectively to work on this issue.”
Q. How can we get involved?
A. Be an active advocate
Smith says that protecting and preserving our waterways is a collective effort.
“It’s up to all of us,” she says. “It’s our own individual actions and choices and advocacy. We can all make a difference.”
Noting the paramount importance of water to northern Michigan, Smith emphasizes that it’s the community surrounding this watershed that contributes toward its health and conservation. “Many folks come here because of the water. We just want to make sure that people are paying attention, are speaking up, and are making behavior changes.”
Smith highlights that one of the best ways to be an advocate and supporter is to be part of beach, river, and park cleanups. Those interested can check out the Dive In, Do Your Part portion of The Watershed Center’s website for a whole host of volunteer and education opportunities. And if you’re looking for a more physical way to contribute, you can join the Swim for Grand Traverse Bay, held Aug. 8, 2026. This open swim celebrates the health of Grand Traverse Bay and contributes funds to The Watershed Center.
Looking toward summer, beach going, and spending time on the water, Smith reminds everyone to be conscientious in choices and actions as we enjoy our time outside. “Its going to take all of us to protect and preserve Grand Traverse Bay into the future.”
OUTDOOR CONCERT
Volunteers celebrate after a beach cleanup. Photo by Rick Kane
THE STATE OF FOSTER CARE IN 2026
Shortages of foster homes, funding, and mental health resources are causing pain points
By Anna Faller
In a world of increasing budget cuts and bureaucratic red tape, members of our most vulnerable populations are being left behind. With about 20 counties and hundreds of families and community members under their purview, Traverse City-based nonprofit Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (CFS) is seeing kids fall through the cracks in the system in real time.
Northern Express sat down with the folks at CFS for a deep-dive into the state of foster care in northern Michigan.
Too Few Foster Homes
Per CFS child welfare director Aprille Sutton, licensed and available foster homes are in critically short supply across northern Michigan. CFS alone served 116 children in 2025 (a similar figure to the previous year), along with an additional nine in its Next Level Independent Living Plus facility, an on-site program for foster youth ages 16-19.
“We’re getting daily referrals, not only from northern Michigan, but also from across the state,” Sutton says. “There’s still a huge need for foster parents and foster homes in our community.”
And that need is only set to increase.
Data from the national Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) reports a consistent decline in youth exiting foster care, including adoptions, throughout the state since 2020. Couple that with fewer foster homes (CFS licensed just 10 in 2025) and the planned closures of more than one state agency, including key player Holy Cross Services, and the organization is bracing to field even more urgent and widespread foster care needs.
CFS had just 54 homes in its multicounty scope in 2025, only some of which are licensed for high-need groups, like teens and sibling sets. The organization also regularly closes more homes, most due to adoption, than it opens.
“We need homes everywhere,” lead licensing supervisor Amber Wiggins notes. “There’s just such a need, because we have so many different kinds of children, so we need all different kinds of families.”
Fostering Roadblocks
Though the factors contributing to this foster shortage are undoubtedly situationspecific, the organization points to the costof-living crisis, lack of locally affordable housing, and myths surrounding care qualifications as major contributors.
“When I’m out in the community and talking to folks about becoming foster parents, one thing I hear a lot is ‘I can’t do it,’” Sutton says. Unbeknownst to many, however, the licensure process is free and circumstances like renting (as opposed to owning) a home and single parenthood don’t disqualify interested parents.
That being said, securing a home in a notoriously tough economic market is a potential barrier for CFS, as is the financial security to cover the costs of housing a child, not to mention extracurriculars (summer camps, after school activities, childcare, etc.), all of which are increasingly expensive.
Though CFS offers dozens of programs and services to make fostering more attainable—including trauma-informed training, respite services, behavioral health supports, and beyond—alongside limited financial services through MDHHS, it often isn’t enough.
“There’s a gap that has to be covered by the parents,” says foster care supervisor Amelia Mayhew. “That’s really something that stops people from being able to do this.”
Lack of Community Resources
Per the team at CFS, this is where an ongoing need for community resources
comes into play.
Critical mental health supports, especially for kids, are a biggie. Though Mayhew and Sutton note that CFS is equipped with its own team of inhouse therapists, recent budget cuts to Medicaid and Community Mental Health (CMH) have dramatically reduced the organization’s access to available mental health providers, especially those with the expertise to prescribe psychotropic medication for children.
Inpatient beds for mental health emergencies and lengthy wait-times for treatment are another issue, though folks at CFS are optimistic that the new Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, which is projected to have youth beds up and running by fall 2026, might help bridge this gap.
Then there’s the recent system-wide swing towards preventative-over-proactive involvement, which, though smart on paper, often means youth entering foster care are arriving with more severe levels of trauma.
“Everything’s interconnected,” Mayhew says. “Because of the lack of mental health supports [and other] services in our area, kids sometimes aren’t getting the full spectrum of services they need to succeed.”
Consequently, if and when they’re removed from their homes, which is always the result of an untenable situation—abuse, neglect, and substance abuse, the latter of which is a factor in about 90 percent of CFS cases, Sutton estimates—they’ve already exhausted all other options like safety plans, kinship searches, in-home coaching, etc., thereby putting even more stress on that child.
Working Together
How do we start to strengthen foster care organizations like CFS in Michigan?
Per Sutton, casting an even larger community net is a good place to start. CFS, for example, is pursuing partnerships with 217 Recovery and Addiction Treatment Services, both in Traverse City, to better support parents as they work towards reunification. Meanwhile, new initiatives like the Next Level ILP program, which helps foster teens develop vital life skills, often arise in response to targeted needs.
For nonprofits like CFS, funding is another challenge, made even more precarious recently
Changing of the Guard
through increased demand for popular grants. To address this, the team highlights a new focus on connecting with the community through events and outreach.
Other ways to get involved include the lower-stakes world of youth service donations or volunteering as an ILP mentor, as well as deeper commitments, like providing respite care or becoming a licensed foster home. And if your plate’s already overflowing, pass the word to someone else!
Per Sutton, however, the real work surrounds collectively accepting and taking responsibility for the foster children in our communities.
“When our most vulnerable population isn’t getting what they need, it affects every one of us,” she concludes. “We’ll find the right fit for you. These kids are in our backyards and in our communities, and they need extra support from all of us.”
Find Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan at 3785 Veterans Dr. in Traverse City. cfsnwmi.org. (231) 946-8975
CFS’s longtime executive director Gina Aranki is planning her retirement in 2026.
The initial process to find the right individual, which ended in March, she notes, was ultimately unsuccessful. Consequently, CFS is now assessing next steps, with plans to reapproach the endeavor as thoughtfully as possible to ensure a smooth transition.
“The board and I are committed to that,” Aranki says, “and I’ve assured [them] and our employees that I will stay for as long as it takes to find the right person to take on the role.”
In the meantime, Aranki remains energized by several new community resources, including the Mental Health Crisis and Access Center and CFS’s newest program, Family Time Coaching, and highlights the continued importance of prioritizing children and families throughout northern Michigan.
“Communities thrive when families thrive, and this has always been true,” she adds. “I’m so proud of the incredible people doing this work of walking alongside families. I know that will continue well into the future, long after I have left this job.”
Brown Bag Campaign Begins for Summer 2026
For 37 years, CFS has hosted their Brown Bag Campaign. According to their press release on the fundraiser, “Most children enter foster care with everything they own in a single bag. It’s a moment no child should have to face—leaving behind everything familiar and stepping into the unknown with only a few belongings.”
The Brown Bag Campaign works by putting small, mail-able paper bags in community areas like Oleson’s, Oryana, Leland Mercantile Co., Hansen’s in Suttons Bay, and Tom’s Food Markets in Northport. The idea is that supporters will snag a bag and mail in a donation, though you can also do so online.
“The Brown Bag Campaign represents the fact that children often come into foster care very quickly and suddenly, with their personal items stuffed into brown paper or plastic bags,” Aranki says. “It’s also a reminder that we need people who have the room in their hearts and homes to become foster and adoptive parents. We are grateful to everyone who has helped make this effort so successful.”
To date, the campaign has raised more than $685,000 for children in foster care. Donate or learn more at cfsnwmi.org/brownbag.
A foster parent retention and recruitment event at the Kaliseum. From left to right: Kali Dignan, Family Resource Specialist, and Bobby Jo Howard, Foster Care Specialist.
“Michigan depends on the energy Line 5 delivers and in keeping these waters safe. That's why my work matters. Protecting these lakes is important to me and I think the Great Lakes Tunnel will do that.”
Erica Michigan resident and Enbridge Operations Manager Visit enbridge.com/Erica
guest opinion by Mike Sheldon
Our region is flush with retirees, or those soon to be retired, who are planning their escape from the world they’ve been comfortable in for 40 years. Retiring sounds great, but there’s a reality everyone faces that sometimes ain’t so pretty…like being irrelevant, having nothing to do, having no purpose, and losing your network of workmates. And it happens in a snap.
too. And all the risks, unknowns, overages, letdowns, and sleepless nights would work themselves out.
THE NEXT CHAPTER FEELS LIKE HOME
Before retiring, I read a few books on the topic, met with a couple of career counselors, talked to friends who had just retired, and wrote multiple lists of all the things I’d be able to do each day to keep myself busy and fulfilled. But no matter what, this was going to be a change, a big scary change from having a corporate job and collecting a paycheck.
When we’d go on family vacation, we always looked for a mini golf place. It was one thing that everyone enjoyed. So, what if we took mini golf and added booze? (Hey, we’re on vacation!) But to get a liquor license in Michigan you must serve food. Ok, so what’s the easiest and somewhat unique food concept up here? Mexican. Same seven ingredients in different shapes. Tasty, healthy, and simple. Even I could figure that out.
As a family we love music. Especially live. Ok, we’ll build a stage and have live music.
my advice is to get out and do something, try something new, find your Chuck, scare yourself a little, and give up your seat in the waiting room.
Dec. 31, 2019, I took the plunge. Over the next three years I spent my days playing golf, grocery shopping, reorganizing my sock drawer, and starting cocktail hour seven minutes earlier than the day before.
I was 63. I felt like I was in God’s waiting room.
My world was getting smaller. Few people wanted my opinion even though I used to be a super-duper important ad guy (especially in my mind!). My cocktail party rap became boring. “Shot a 94 today!” Even I didn’t care. I was feeling old…I was failing retirement.
I needed a project. More importantly, I needed a purpose.
I always dreamt of building a beautiful park-like venue in northern Michigan. A place that offered lots of creative elements to surprise and delight people. Eye candy everywhere. I spent nearly 40 years in advertising—exciting business, fun people, but intangible. I wanted to create a physical place where generations of folks could create memories.
The last thing I wanted to do was be in the restaurant business. Ugh. Long hours, bad margins, hard-to-find staff. And the liability of owning a bar? No thanks. And owning a kiddie-centric putt putt joint with windmills and clowns? Are you kidding me? I love my kids—yours, a little less. And a music venue? That could be cool, but what the heck do I know about a music venue?
But my dream wouldn’t leave me alone. I kept thinking if I build something my family and friends would love, others would love it
After a long search, we bought three severely neglected acres in downtown Glen Arbor. After six months of drawings, nine months of permits, another six months of building (and three dozen vendors), me, my wife Gina, and the most talented and kind friend I’ve ever had, Chuck Damman, willed River Club to life. We were up and running June 24, 2024.
While it might take a while to recoup our investment, the reward of serving 100,000 truly happy people each season is immeasurable. That feeling is hard to describe. It’s the purpose I was looking for.
I’m now happy to report that I no longer share my golf scores, can admit I hate grocery shopping, my sock drawer is a mess, and cocktail hour doesn’t start until 5:53pm (sharp!).
But most importantly, I feel like I’m part of the real world again. Call it relevance, purpose, whatever.
Now, truth be told, this ain’t for everyone, and it ain’t perfect. I have my days where I think it might be nice to have nothing to worry about, nothing on my to do list, and being a little bored. But on balance, my advice is to get out and do something, try something new, find your Chuck, scare yourself a little, and give up your seat in the waiting room.
Mike Sheldon the ex-Chairman and CEO of Deutsch Advertising and is founder of River Club Glen Arbor. RCGA features an 18-hole putting course, three full bars, “Mexigan” (Mexican inspired, Michigan fresh) food and features live music, riverfront and Sky Deck seating and a gift shop in the beautiful town of Glen Arbor.
SPECIAL NEEDS FUNDING UNDER FIRE
Charlevoix’s Bergmann Center closes, reopening in the works
By Art Bukowski
A Charlevoix nonprofit dedicated to serving those in the community with special needs is hoping to reopen after tensions over funding led to its closure.
The Bergmann Center empowers “individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education, employment, engagement and integration” through a variety of programs designed to foster independence, dignity, and community connection. It has served thousands of adult clients over more than six decades, and in recent months has served around 70.
The center closed on May 15 after leaders there said its funding model was not sustainable. It did not have a firm date to reopen at the time this story was written, but CEO Keri Laporte-Montero said she is committed to doing so as soon as possible.
The bulk of Bergmann’s funding
comes from state Medicaid funding that is administered by North Country Community Mental Health, and Bergmann leadership has been frustrated by perceived inflexibility with—and unanswered questions about— that funding.
After a May 29 meeting between NCCMH and Bergmann (along with other front-line providers similar to Bergmann) the decision was made to work to reopen Bergmann and work more collaboratively in the future.
“[The meeting went] as well as it could have gone,” Laporte-Montero says. “We all want what’s best for our people, and we just need to figure out a way to do that sustainably.”
“I thought it was a productive meeting,” adds Brian Babbitt, CEO of NCCMH. “There’s some detail yet to work out, but I definitely see a path forward.”
Subsequent early June meetings delayed a projected June 8 reopening date
as Bergmann and NCCMH are exploring more ways for Bergmann to supplement its funding.
How We Got Here
Bergmann is one of four disabilityfocused providers that receive state Medicaid funding that is administered by NCCMH. The others are Grand Traverse Industries (which receives funding from NCCMH for its Mancelona facility and from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health for its main facility in Traverse City), Straits Area Services in Cheboygan, and Crossroads Industries in Gaylord.
While the funding (in the form of rates that reimburse providers for their services to clients) provided by NCCMH hasn’t decreased in recent years, some providers feel the rates simply aren’t adequate in the face of rising costs and other challenges. Medicaid funding makes up 70 percent of Bergmann’s budget, so movement with that
funding has a massive impact.
“The bigger issue…is that rates as they are set with North Country are not sustainable for any of the providers,” Laporte-Montero said before the May meeting. “And we need to find a sustainable solution so that all of the providers can continue serving individuals in Northern Michigan.”
Grand Traverse Industries has more diverse funding sources that allow it to be less dependent on Medicaid, Executive Director Cindy Evans says. But rate issues from NCCMH have impacted the Mancelona facility specifically and have required it to be propped up with other GTI funds, something that’s not sustainable.
“If I look at our Mancelona program and it continues to run in a deficit, there has to come a point where you say, ‘We can't continue to supplement this if we’re going to stay strong [as an organization],’” she says.
What’s more, Evans said before the May meeting that Grand Traverse Industries has
Clients and staff at the Bergmann Center celebrate "Night to Shine."
not had similar problems with Northern Lakes CMH, which administers the Medicaid funding for their Traverse City operations.
“We haven’t been able to negotiate rates with (NCCMH), they just take a stance that this is it, this is what we’re going to give you,” Evans says. “Whereas with (Northern Lakes CMH), they sit down with us, we look at our costs, and we work out a rate that covers what it costs to transport individuals, provide the service—all those things.”
Laporte-Montero says she made the decision to close Bergmann while there were still enough funds to reopen in the future.
“I could have ran this program into the ground and we wouldn’t be able to have an opportunity to reopen,” she says. “So I made a difficult strategic decision to stop before that happened. And it was really hard drawing that line.”
The decision was at least in part to draw attention to the funding issue, not only with NCCMH but with the larger funding picture as a whole.
“The system needs a lot of work done to it, and it’s not going to happen if we just sit quiet and watch it happen to us,” Laporte-Montero says. “So we have to keep pushing and speaking loudly for what our people need.”
For his part, Babbitt said the rates provided by NCCMH have gone up over time, and suggested that the structure of programs like Bergmann—everything from its staffing to heavy reliance on Medicaid— might be the bigger problem.
“I really think these programs will have to change their business model a little bit to be sustainable,” he said before the May meeting.
Bergmann Returns?
Higher rates were not promised at the May meeting, though Laporte-Montero says the very fact that NCCMH sat at the table for
open dialogue was a promising development.
Still, it is likely that Bergmann will need to supplement its funding sources to be sustainable. With lots of people discussing the Bergmann closure, Laporte-Montero hopes it may be at least a bit easier to demonstrate need and have meaningful conversations with potential funders.
“I think that the attention that this has
brought over the past couple months has potentially opened those doors a little further than they have ever been,” she says.
Both Babbitt and Laporte-Montero suggested that reduced staff over time might be on the table for Bergmann to help address its funding concerns. They plan to reopen with a smaller staff and adjust accordingly.
“We’re not coming back fully staffed, so we’re easing the pressure there. And so we do need to continue to look at staffing,” LaporteMontero says. “We’ve always paid very close attention to our ratios and codes, but we’re going to be diving even deeper into that.”
Learn more about the Bergmann Center at bergmanncenter.org.
Saturday
TOTAL ARCHERY CHAL-
LENGE: 6:15am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. June 12-14. About 3,000 participants from all over the country will be competing on six specially designed archery courses throughout the resort. crystalmountain.com/ events-activities/events/event-calendar/totalarchery-challenge -
CRYSTAL FINS & SKINS: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Fishing in the morning. Checkin at 7am at Kinlochen Plaza. Catch & release until noon. Teams must weigh their fish & take a selfie as proof. Golfing in the afternoon. Lunch from noon-1:30pm. Golf at 1:30pm with the “6-6-6” Challenge. 6 Holes: Best Ball. 6 Holes: Scramble. 6 Holes: Alternate Shot. $60$120. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/ events/event-calendar/crystal-fins-skins
M22 CHALLENGE: FULL: 8am; starts in south-bound lane of M-109. The 2.5 mile run leads into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where competitors face a 100 yd. climb up the infamous sand dune, bank left around a marker, run a short sprint along the top of the dune, & then make another left for a run down the dune face. The 17-mile bike portion passes through downtown Glen Arbor, along Crystal River, Big Glen Lake, Inspiration Point, Big & Little Glen Lake, & a tunnel of trees. The 2.5-mile paddle sets off across Little Glen Lake. Just before shore, athletes dismount in the water & sprint for the finish line. $205. m22challenge.com
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Inn & Trail Gourmet, Glen Arbor. Enjoy a free performance by these musicians-inresidence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
8TH ANNUAL WHITEFISH FEST: 10am5pm, Depot Park, Alden. Art, craft & food booths. Find ‘8th annual Torch Lake Whitefish Fest’ on Facebook.
BAY HARBOR CLASSIC CAR & BOAT FESTIVAL: 10am-2pm, 4000 Main St., Bay Harbor. A collection of the finest classic, future classic & rare cars & boats in the country. bayharborcarandboatfestival.com/ event-details-registration/bay-harbor-carboat-festival-2026-1
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COMMUNITY DAY AT GRAND TRAVERSE LIGHTHOUSE: 10am-5pm, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport. Free lighthouse admission. Arts & crafts vendors. ROV demonstration. grandtraverselighthouse.com
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OLD TOWN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 10am-
5pm, Old Town district, TC. Discover unique art, local crafts & much more. downtowntc. com/events/art-fair-series.html
PIPING PLOVER PRESENTATION WITH JEANIE RANSOM: 10am, Leelanau State Park. Learn what makes these birds so special, why they are threatened, what’s being done to protect them, & how you can help. Free. grandtraverselighthouse.com/events
UP NORTH PADDLE SWAP 2026: 10am4pm, The Outfitter, Harbor Springs. Buy or sell used kayaks, canoes & stand-up paddleboards. Drop-off your equipment to sell on Fri., June 12 from 2-7pm. Unsold items must be picked up by 3pm on June 15. outfitterharborsprings. com/pages/up-north-paddle-swap-2025
ART IN THE BARN: 11am-4pm, 6411 N. Overlook Rd., Northport. Northern Michigan artist Douglas Racich welcomes you to a studio open house in his historic 1870s Leelanau County barn near Omena. Featuring original egg tempera & watercolor artwork. leelanauprints.com
SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERT: CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Hall. Part of the Masterworks in Miniature series, this educational program integrates storytelling with music & movement & is designed for children 5–12 & their families. Free. tcphil.org/events/saturdayfamily-concert-carnival-of-the-animals
DUDE DAY: Noon-2pm, Interlochen Public Library. Bring your favorite father figure for hot dogs on the grill, outdoor games, a foam cannon party, & a rope-making & knot-tying workshop presented by the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. Wear clothes to get wet. Free.
LELAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL: Noon6pm, Leland Township Harbor. Live music & dancing, great food, amazing wine & stellar views. Convenient come-&-go wristbands let guests explore nearby shops, beaches & galleries before returning for more. Featuring 12 Leelanau Peninsula wineries, including Amoritas, Bel Lago Winery, Good Harbor Vineyards & Laurentide Winery. There will also be craft beer from Farm Club, & culinary offerings from Locals Lake Leelanau, Pleva’s Meats, Village Cheese Shanty & more. Live music from DJ Ras Marco & Yankee Station. Each full ticket includes a commemorative wine glass & two tasting tokens. $35 advance, $45 gate, $12 for non-alcoholic/under 21. mynorthtickets.com/events/leland-wine-foodfestival-2026-6-13-2026
“QUEEN BEE”: 1pm & 7pm, Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center. Join the CTAC School of Ballet for this original ballet writ-
Summer starts on the 180 ft. slip-n-slide at Mt. Holiday, TC, Sat., Sept. 20! Bring your swimsuit for trips down the mountain from 5-8pm… there will also be a shorter one for younger children. A $20 suggested donation per participant helps support Mt. Holiday’s nonprofit mission and year-round outdoor programming. You can also enjoy this Summer Solstice Sunset Slip-n-Slide Party on the deck and in the beer garden with live music by Headwaters Band until 9pm, and the beer garden open until 10pm. Zipline reservations are also available for half price. Bring your towels, lawn chairs, friends and even doggos for this summer kickoff! mt-holiday.com Photo courtesy of Mt. Holiday
ten, composed & performed by local band, The Lavender Lions. $5-$50. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1 &location=petoskey#class-list
LEELANAU’S OLD GROWTH FORESTS: LIVING HISTORY: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Becky Hill, director of natural areas & preserves with the Leelanau Conservancy, talks about the Conservancy’s program to protect the diverse ecosystems & critical habitat in which old-growth forests live. Held in conjunction with GAAC’s exhibit, “American Tree.” Free. glenarborart.org/product/ leelanaus-old-growth-forests-living-history
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. OTP’s youth performers offer a musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.” Full of humor, quirky characters, & catchy songs, this comedic retelling of the classic fairy tale is a lighthearted look at love & defying expectations. $15$22. oldtownplayhouse.com/youth-learning/ performances/once-upon-a-mattress.html
CERUS QUARTET FRONT PORCH CONCERT: 2pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Enjoy the award-winning Cerus Quartet. Attend-
ees are encouraged to bring a chair. Special guests & Beach Bards hosts Norm Wheeler & Anne-Marie Oomen will also share stories & reflections on Glen Arbor’s history & cultural life. Free. glenarborart.org/product/ musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
WORLD-CLASS HORSE JUMPING IN TC: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Saturday Show Jumping Spectacular: $181,200 GT Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians CSI4* Grand Prix. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed summer setting. There are food & beverage options, shopping & open spaces. Tickets start at $15. app.gopassage.com/events/spring-two
TOUR LEELANAU COUNTY’S HISTORIC POOR FARM BARN: 3-5pm, Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn. See the restoration & repurposing work recently completed on the barn. Leaders of the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society will be on hand to guide the tours & answer questions about the past, present, & future of this community treasure. Also enjoy home baked cookies & yard games. Free.
THE DONUT & BEER FESTIVAL: 5pm, Tur-
tle Creek Stadium, TC. The ultimate sugar rush meets the perfect pour. Enjoy a high-energy, hops-filled playground! Featuring elite donut glazes & crisp local ales. Also enjoy live music by Whiskey Friends, the premier Morgan Wallen tribute, & action from the MicroMania Midget Wrestling Tour. $49-$129. donutandbeerfestival.com
THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW WSG ZEKE CLEMONS & PINTER WHITNICK: 5:3011pm, Little River Casino Resort, The Outdoor Venue, Manistee. The ultimate high energy tribute to “classic” rock n’ roll. Hear legendary rock anthems from the 70s & 80s from artists like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Guns N Roses & more. $20. lrcr.com/event/arena-rockshow-wsg-zeke-clemons-pinter-whitnick
VIRIDIAN STRINGS PRESENTS FRESHWATER FANTASIES: Viridian Strings brings beloved chamber music to Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. This presentation will start with an artist Q&A at 6pm in the Zimmerman Sculpture Court. At 7pm music will start in the Milock Wing gallery. $20-$25. simpletix. com/e/viridian-strings-presents-freshwaterfanta-tickets-269131
ALAN HEWITT & ONE NATION: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Grammy nominated group Alan Hewitt & One Nation with members from the Moody Blues, Pat Benatar, Nsync & Neville Brothers. They are a powerhouse contemporary jazz/rock/fusion band led by award-winning keyboardist Alan Hewitt. Starting at $37. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/alan-hewitt-one-nation
BAYSIDE TRAVELLERS CONTRA DANCE: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, TC. 7pm dance skills workshop; 7:30-10:30pm dance with live music by Union Street String band & dances called by Larry Dyer. $10/person suggested donation.
SCULLY TOUR SATURDAYS IN THE PARK W/ BIG L AND CODE BLÜ: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. High-energy funk, pop & jazzy soul. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Presented by the Cadillac Footliters. $12-$15. cadillacfootliters.com
LIVE AT THE BAY: MAURICE JOHN VAUGHN: 7:30pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. This blues veteran is a triple threat on guitar, saxophone & vocals. He will be joined by a band who includes allstars Freddie Dixon & Chicago Blues Hallof-Famer John Watkins. See web site for ticket info. thebaytheatre.org/movie/live-atthe-bay-maurice-john-vaughn
CHRIS JANSON - WILD HORSES UNTAMED TOUR: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Janson is known for his crowd favorites like “Buy Me a Boat,” “Fix a Drink,” & “Good Vibes.” $65. odawacasino. com/entertainment/chris-janson
HOWIE MANDEL: 8pm, Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom, Peshawbestown. Join the “America’s Got Talent” judge & “Deal or No Deal” host for an evening of stand-up comedy. $80. leelanausandscasino.com/events
sunday
TOTAL ARCHERY CHALLENGE: (See Sat., June 13)
FORMULA 1: BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND
PRIX: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Free. thebaytheatre.org/movie/ formula-1-barcelona-catalunya-grand-prix
8TH ANNUAL WHITEFISH FEST: (See Sat., June 13)
UP NORTH PADDLE SWAP 2026: (See Sat., June 13)
WELLNESS DAY AT THE GARDEN: 10am4pm, The Botanic Garden, Historic Barns Park, TC. Reconnect with nature & refresh your mind, body & spirit through inspiring wellness experiences. Enjoy free sessions including Herbal Tea Basics, Healing Garden Tour, Labyrinth Walk, Qigong, Soul-Stirring Soundscapes, & more. Free. thebotanicgarden.org/events
ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., June 13)
DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME: 1-3pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Featuring Deija Vaton. upnorthpride.com/listevents
AUTHOR NICO LANG: Nico will talk about his book “American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate & Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era.” Presented by Manistee PFLAG from 2-3:30pm at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Beulah. You can also join Nico for dinner at Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort from 5-7pm, where you can continue the conversation & enjoy social time with the Benzie Pride crew. benziepride.org
THE SCIENCE OF GOD & ITS POWER TO HEAL US: 2pm, The GT Circuit, TC; free parking at Thirlby Field. Presented by Nikki O’Hagen, member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship from Ireland. Free. christiansciencetc.com/christian-science-events
NWS: TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS: 7-9pm, TC West Senior High School. Terry is the author of “The Glorians.” Doors open at 6pm with live music. Featuring guest host Doug Stanton. GA: $17. nationalwritersseries.org/ author-event/terry-tempest-williams
FREE VESPER CONCERT: 8pm, John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View. bayviewassociation.org/events/free-vesper-concert-free-forall-2026/?occurrence=2026-06-
monday
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co., Glen Arbor. Enjoy a free performance by these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/ musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
SUMMER READING KICKOFF PARTY: 10am-1pm, Traverse Area District Library, Front Lawn, TC. Celebrate the start of summer with TADL & partner friends. Journey through the library & enjoy music, photos & fun freebies. Kids, pick up your free shirt & two Spoonman performances (11am & 4pm). Free. tadl.org/summerreading
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR EVENT: 1-3pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Enjoy a meet & greet with author Jessica Stefanski & illustrator Betsy Petersen, who are celebrating “The Olive Tree Still Grows.” Free. mcleanandeakin.com/event/2026-06-15/jessica-stefanski-betsy-petersen-olive-tree-still-grows
CERUS QUARTET SOUND SAMPLES: 2-4pm, River Club & Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District, Glen Arbor. Enjoy music by musicians-in-residence Cerus Quartet. Free. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-inresidence-cerus-quartet
THE GREAT PETOSKEY PASSENGER PIGEON NESTING OF 1878: 7pm, Little Traverse History Museum, Petoskey. Today includes the Kickoff Talk. Kyle Bagnall, park naturalist at Mackinac State Historic Parks, will talk about records from early explorers, missionaries & traders & tales of nesting birds in Petoskey. Free.
BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:3010pm, Bay View, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “Kitchen Brigade.” Free.
THE GREAT PETOSKEY PASSENGER PIGEON NESTING OF 1878: 8am. Meet at parking area under Mitchell St. Bridge, Quaintance Ave. off W. Lake St., Petoskey. Today includes a narrated birding walk along the Bear River. Hosted by Petoskey Regional Audubon Society members. Free.
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, L’Chayim Deli, Glen Arbor. Enjoy a free performance by these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musiciansin-residence-cerus-quartet
wednesday
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Inn & Trail Gourmet, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance with these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: The Factory Man Roasting House, Boon St., TC. Seniors can walk, jog, run, bike, etc., exploring the TART Trails. Start on the Boardman Loop at 10am & enjoy a coffee social at 11am.
FREE FAMILY CONCERT: 11am, Beulah Village Park. Families with children ages birth to five are invited to this concert with singer/songwriter Miriam Pico & interactive storyteller Jen Strauss. Hosted by the Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay in partnership with Northwest Education Services.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK: JOHN RICHARD PAUL: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. John’s music blends deeply personal lyrics with an Americana sound. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/eve nts/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list
SOUND SAMPLES - CERUS QUARET: 2-4pm, Glen Arbor Park & Playground, Inn and Trail, & The Mill, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-inresidence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
TEEN ART MEET-UP: PRIDE BEADING: 2-3:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Join Up North Pride to bead in a supportive, welcoming environment. There will be beads in all colors of the rainbow as well as findings for necklaces, bracelets, anklets & earrings. All teens welcome. upnorthpride.com/listevents
BIKES FOR ALL: 10:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT Civic Center, TC. Norte Youth Cycling believes everyone should be able to experience the joy & freedom of bike riding, regardless of their abilities. This program provides hands-on education & training to help individuals ride confidently. Free. norteyouthcycling.org/bikes-for-all
LIBRARY STORY TIME W/ CERUS QUARTET: 11am, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire.
SUMMER READING KICKOFF PARTY: 11:30am, East Bay Branch Library, TC. Drop in for chalk, dancing, bubbles & popsicles. Check that you’re signed up for Summer Reading Club, pick up some reading material, & your summer reading club swag (while supplies last). Free. tadl.org/event/east-bay-src-kickoffparty-32112
PANEL EVENT: LET’S TALK WATER: 5-6:30pm, Elk Rapids Area Historical Society, Elk Rapids. Join The Watershed Center for an interactive panel discussion where staff share insights from their on-the-ground work monitoring water quality, restoring streams, advancing protective water policies, & preserving the water that defines our region. Free.
“MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE” FILM SCREENING & COMMUNITY DISCUSSION: 5:30-8:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Dutmers Theatre, TC. Part of NMC’s Global Cinema Series. Doors open at 5:30pm. Film starts at 6pm. After the film will be a community discussion featuring speaker Danny Nguyen. Free. upnorthpride. com/listevents
RIVERFEST: 5:30pm, The Overlook at The Chief Golf Course, Bellaire. Grass River Natural Area’s annual fundraising event. Your ticket includes food, live music, & auction experiences. $100. grassriver.org
LANI, ROSIE & HENRY MOZZARELLA: 3:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Author Lorraine Loria & illustrator Bonnie Spino join reading dogs Lani & Rosie with a reading & activity. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org
CHAMBER TOWN HALL & PANEL DISCUSSION: 7pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. “What the Millage Reset Is, & Why It Matters.” Local officials & community leaders will walk through the ballot proposal & answer your questions.
SWEETWATER EVENING GARDEN CLUB: 7pm, Acme Twp. Hall. June speaker is Lydia from GT County Recycle. Free.
SUNSET SOUNDS W/ CERUS QUARTET: 9:15pm, Cottonseed Apparel Patio, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance by these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/ product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
CERUS QUARTET OPEN REHEARSAL: 6pm, River Club, outdoor stage, Glen Arbor. These interactive sessions offer audiences the opportunity to observe rehearsals, hear works in progress, ask questions & chat with the musicians. Free. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
“THE LOST BIRD PROJECT” FILM SCREENING: 7-8:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Todd McGrain, sculptor of the new Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Monument, will present his “The Lost Bird Project” film & offer remarks concerning his Passenger Pigeon Monument. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/eve nts/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list
- - -QUARET: Playground, Inn Enjoy this musicians-inglenarborart.org/product/musi-
- - -BEADING: Library, TC. supportive, beads findings earrings. All upnorthpride.com/listevents - - -WATER: Society, for an share monistreams, adpreservFree.
- - -MINE” DISMusePart of open the film featuring upnorthpride.
- - -at The River NatYour auction
- - -REHEARSAL: Arbor. audiences rehearsals, hear chat with glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
- - -FILM Tree Arts McGrain, Passenger Pi“The Lost concernFree. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/eve nts/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list
HOW TO HOST A BACKYARD PARTY FOR WILDLIFE WITH FOOD, DRINKS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT: 7pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Join Carolyn Thayer & learn about all the benefits that landscaping with Michigan native plants can bring to your surroundings. Carolyn is a professional landscape designer, owns Designs in Bloom in Frankfort & is one of the founders of Plant It Wild. Free. PlantItWild.net
SUSAN HOLLISTER WASSERMANSTEPPING OFF THE BOAT: 7pm, Glen Lake Library. An historical account of the growth & development of the North Manitou Island community from the 1800s to the early 1940s. glenlakelibrary.net
thursday
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co., Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Join Todd McGrain, sculptor of the new Petoskey Passenger Pigeon Monument, who will share insights into the design & bronze casting process behind the monument, as well as the inspiration that shaped this work. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ events/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list
DUNE WILDFLOWER HIKE: 10am, Old Baldy Trailhead at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve. A 2.5 mile hike with gradual elevation change on mostly firm trails. There is one steep climb up to Old Baldy, a beloved perched dune with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Wildflowers you may see along the trail include Wood Lily, Pitcher’s Thistle, Sand Coreopsis, Hairy Puccoon & Common Milkweed, an essential for the monarch caterpillar. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/es/event/ home/springwildflower061826
K-9 OFFICER BRICKO W/ SGT. SKROBECKI: 10am, Bellaire Public Library. Bricko will show you how he unearths a story as he & Sgt. Skrobecki conduct an article search.
SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES: INVASIVE SPECIES OF THE WALLOON LAKE WATERSHED: 10am, The Talcott Event Center, Walloon Lake. Featuring Katie Gray, program co-coordinator, CAKE CISMA. Register. Free. walloon.org/all-events/?event=4010
FAMILY FUN DAY: 11am, Camp Greilick, TC. Join Kingsley Branch Library & East Bay Branch Library for a day of activities & fun for the whole family. Includes rock climbing, outdoor games, camp exploration, snacks & ice cream, & more. Free. tadl.org/familyfunday
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: Noon-8pm, northwest Michigan. Find inspiration for your dream home at the 2026 Parade of Homes, June 18-21. Tour eight beautiful homes across northwest Michigan & discover the latest in construction, home design, outdoor living, & more. Meet builders, gather ideas, & see what’s possible. Presented by the HBA of Northwest Michigan. $15/person; 12 & under free. nwmiparadeofhomes.com
SOUND SAMPLES - CERUS QUARET: 2-4pm, Cottage Book Shop, Lake Street Studios, Cherry Republic, & Cottonseed Apparel, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residencecerus-quartet
JOEL’S JURASSIC MAGIC SHOW: 2:30pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Joel will stomp, chomp, & roar into the summer reading program with dinosaurthemed books of all sorts that he brings to life with magic, wacky stunts, & lots of audience participation. 231-331-4318. Free.
OTP GALA 2026 - UNDER THE BIG TOP: City Opera House, TC. Old Town Playhouse’s annual celebratory fundraiser. Featuring thrilling performers & a stunning musical show that previews the new season. Doors open at 5:30pm with cocktails, appetizers, a raffle & photographer. 6:30pm: dinner, live auction, Fund the Season and the Fabulous Gala Show. This formal event asks you to join in black & white with accents of red, or as your favorite circus performer. $200. purchase.oldtownplayhouse.com/ EventAvailability?EventId=37401
AUTHOR TALK WITH SUSAN HOLLISTER
WASSERMAN: 6pm, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library. This event is part of the 2026 MI Notable Books Author Tour. Susan will talk about her award-winning book, “Stepping Off the Boat: Stories from North Manitou Island.” Free. sbbdl.org
POSTCARDS PRESENTATION: 6pm, Leland Twp. Public Library, Munnecke Community Room. “Leelanau Treasures from the David Tinder Collection of Michigan Real Photo Postcards at the Clements Library” will be presented by Christine Byron & Tom Wilson. This event is hosted by the Leelanau Historical Society. leelanauhistory.org
RUN LAKE ANN 5K, ERIK FLORIP MEMORIAL RUN: 6530 First St., Lake Ann. The Fun Run starts at 6:30pm ($5). 5K immediately follows. Register for 5K. $35. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/LakeAnn/ RunLakeAnn5K
AUTHOR JOHN U. BACON: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Help John celebrate his newest book, “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” $20. mcleanandeakin. com/event/2026-06-18/john-u-bacon-galesnovember
CONCERTS ON THE LAWN: 7pm, GT Pavilions, TC. Beach & Buffet Featuring Doc Probes. Freewill donation. gtpavilions.org/ news-events/2026-concerts-on-the-lawn
MOANA JR.: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Disney’s Moana JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana & her village of Motunui to life onstage. $8-$14. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/127261 4?performanceId=11796540
SUNSET SOUNDS W/ CERUS QUARTET: 9:15pm, Cottonseed Apparel Patio, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/ product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
friday
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Inn and Trail Gourmet, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
QUILTS BY THE BAY: 9am-5pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Community Building, Petoskey. 150 modern & traditional quilts professionally judged in multiple categories. Raffle quilt, $5 per ticket. $10 per person.
JUNE 19
- - - -
DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY & MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
JUNE 24 THE REVIVALISTS
JUNE 25 BRET MICHAELS
JUNE 30
JULY 2, 3, 10, 11
A.J. CROCE PRESENTS CROCE PLAYS CROCE - SOLD OUT
INTERLOCHEN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”
JULY 5, 12, 19, WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 26, AUG. 2 & 9 Every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
JULY 10
JULY 14
JULY 18
DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
INTERLOCHEN “COLLAGE”
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JULY 20 YACHT ROCK THE DOCK WITH AMBROSIA, JOHN FORD COLEY, PETER BECKETT, AND WALTER EGAN
JULY 22
JULY 23
JULY 24
ST. VINCENT LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA
EMMYLOU HARRIS & GRAHAM NASH
JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT
JULY 27 BRIT FLOYD - THE WALL, THE MOON AND BEYOND
JULY 29
JEFFERSON STARSHIP - RUNWAY AGAIN TOUR
AUG. 6-9 “WEST SIDE STORY” HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE
AUG. 8
RENÉE FLEMING
AUG. 11 THE STRAY CATS
AUG. 12 THE “HAPPY TOGETHER” TOUR 2026
AUG. 13 THE CONCERT: A TRIBUTE TO ABBA
AUG. 14
AUG. 21
JOE BONAMASSA AND GOV’T MULE - SOLD OUT
GLADYS KNIGHT
AUG. 22 THE ACCIDENTALS AND EMMA ZINCK WITH SPECIAL GUEST A TO Z MUSIC
JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY DAY: 11am4pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Enjoy a free day at the museum & a first look at the summer exhibitions which open to the public on this day. simpletix.com/e/juneteenth-community-day-tickets-274593
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: (See Thurs., June 18) -
CONCERTS IN THE PARK: KEITH SCOTT BLUES: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Free.
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: Noon-7pm, Bay Harbor Lake Marina. Step aboard, explore cutting-edge marine technology, & speak with manufacturers & dealers about the latest trends in the boating world. bayharborlakemarina.com/boat-show
STEAM CHALLENGE - BRIDGE TO SHARK
TOOTH ISLAND: 3pm, East Bay Branch Library, TC. Join Challenge Island Northwest Michigan for this fun STEAM Challenge. Your family can shark attack STEAM challenges & build a Hungry Shark Maze game to take home! Free. tadl.org/event/challenge-islandeast-bay-32120
SOL OF THE LOST TAMARACK MUSIC
FESTIVAL: 4pm, Lost Tamarack Lodge, Wolverine. Forty acres, one stage, 17 bands, & movement and healing arts scheduled throughout the weekend. Live music by Underleaf, The Outfit, The Vermeers, Whorled, Kirby, Aunt Vicki & many others. Sound baths, Yoga & Tai Chi, Hula Hoop & Herbs, & Fire Dance. $120 adult weekend pass; $45 teen (13-17) weekend pass; camper/RV & day passes available. losttamaracklodge.com/festival
ARTIST RECEPTION - WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM: 5-7pm, Tinker Studio, TC. See the work of local artists who celebrate the beauty, resilience & optimism to be found in flowers. Hosting local Old Mission Peninsula artist, Margrit Kuehnis, as she works to bring one of her soft-pastel works to life. tinkerstudiotc. com/events
SOUND OF MUSIC: 5pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Friends of PCL kick off the concert season with free ice cream & the music of Mark DeNoyelles. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org
BOYNE CITY STROLL THE STREETS: 6-9pm, downtown Boyne City. Held every Fri. evening. Includes live music, entertainment, children’s activities & much more.
RED DRIVE CONCERT SERIES: 6-8pm, The Piazza at The Village at GT Commons, TC. Featuring The Luke Woltanski Band. Enjoy this folk/rock jam band, complete with Luke’s wild stories he amassed during his life growing up in northern Michigan. Free. leftfootcharley.com/events-calendar
AUTHOR VERONICA ROTH: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Community Engagement Room, Bay Harbor. Help Veronica celebrate her newest book, “Seek the Traitor’s Son.” Free. mcleanandeakin.com/event/2026-06-19/ veronica-roth-seek-traitors-son
CULMINATING CONCERT - CERUS QUARTET: 7-8:30pm, Glen Arbor Twp. Hall. Wsg Beach Bards hosts Norm Wheeler & AnneMarie Oomen, sharing stories & reflections on Glen Arbor’s history & cultural life. Free; $25 suggested donation. glenarborart.org/product/ musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CON-
CERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring The Rupple Brothers. Free.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OPEN
SKATE!: 7-9:30pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. TC Roller Derby is partnering with Northern Michigan E3 to put on this fun skating event at the end of a full evening of Juneteenth Activities by Northern Michigan E3. $5 admission; $5 skate rental. facebook. com/events/s/juneteenth-open-skate-withnor/2707289169646457
MOANA JR.: (See Thurs., June 18)
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: (See Sat., June 13)
DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY & MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Two generations of country innovators share the stage. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country blends classic country twang, psychedelic rock, & free-flowing improvisation. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives are a five-time Grammy winner & deliver a sound rooted in honky-tonk, rockabilly & bluegrass. Starting at $58. interlochen.org/events/daniel-donatos-cosmic-country-marty-stuart-and-his-fabulous-superlatives-2026-06-19
DAVE SHARP WORLDS QUARTET FEAT. ELVIN SHARP & JEFF HAAS: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. The quartet’s sound is described as a “kaleidoscope of undulating gypsy, klezmer, Persian, and North African music, interspersed with jazz variations.” $30-$35. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1 &location=petoskey#class-list
saturday
20TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10K & 5K: 6am, DeWitt Lot, Park Ave., downtown Charlevoix. See web site for various start times & to register. $50-$175. charlevoixmarathon.com
SUNRISE SOUND HEALING: 8am, Bryant Park, TC. Experience deep relaxation with sacred sound instruments, including a gong, harmonium, flute, & handpan. Harmonize with the sounds of the beach while being immersed in a sacred sound journey. Free admission.
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: (See Thurs., June 18, except today’s time is 9am-7pm.)
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Rinco Bros. Coffee Roasters, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/ product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
QUILTS BY THE BAY: 9am-3pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Community Building, Petoskey. 150 modern & traditional quilts professionally judged in multiple categories. Raffle quilt, $5 per ticket. $10 per person. ltbquiltersguild.org/event-6459500?Calendar ViewType=1&SelectedDate=6/8/2026
RAINBOW RUN: 9am, Hull Park & Boardman Lake Loop Trail, TC. Hosted by TART Trails and Up North Pride, the Rainbow Run is a color fun run & fundraiser around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. The event celebrates the trail systems & the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month. $25-$35. runsignup.com/Race/MI/ TraverseCity/TraverseCityRainbowRun
A Whimsical World awaits
FRANKFORT CRAFT FAIR: 10am-3pm, Main St., downtown Frankfort. Featuring more than 80 vendors showcasing jewelry, pottery, textiles, home décor & much more.
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY FATHER’S DAY ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Free admission.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: (See Sat., June 13, except today’s times are 2pm & 7pm.)
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: (See Fri., June 19, except today’s hours are 10am-7pm.)
LELAND COMMUNITY CLEAN UP + CARE: 10am-noon, gazebo in front of The Find North, Leland. Help clean up Leland! Enjoy free snacks & drinks, door prizes, suncare products from Valor Skincare & more. Please bring protective gloves, a trash grabber, reusable bag or bucket, closed toed shoes & reusable water bottle. Start the day with yoga on the beach at 9am with River Studio. This is a donation-based class, with a minimum donation of $20. 100% of proceeds benefit Fishtown Preservation. Register: bit.ly/49ukxGt. facebook.com/share/17kkEQZjbX
LITTLE MISS ANN BAND: Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Enjoy this nationally touring Filipina American kids musician who has made 9 award-winning family music albums. 10-11am: pre-concert art project; 11amnoon: outdoor concert. Bring lawn chairs & picnics. $5 kids/$10 adults. twistedfishgallery.com/event/little-miss-ann-band-to-perform-outdoor-concert-at-twisted-fish
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan
FRENCH MANOR TERRA CLASSIC CAR SHOW: Noon-2pm, French Manor Terra, TC. Check out a variety of classic & unique vehicles while enjoying music & more. You can also showcase your vehicle by registering. Find ‘French Manor Terra Classic Car Show’ on Facebook.
7TH ANNUAL CHERRY WHISKEY FEST: 3-7pm, TC Whiskey Co. This signature summer celebration honors all things cherry. Barrel Proof Single Barrel Cherry Release, specialty cherry cocktails, an outdoor bar, yard games, live music from Marsupials & DJ Zeb. Food from Chubby Unicorn & Sabores y Colores. Visit the Cherryland Market. Free entry. facebook.com/share/1HKCGoNxd6
ST. JOSEPH 5TH ANNUAL CAR CRUISE & CAR SHOW: Call by June 15 to register your fun car! Limited to 40 entries. Cruise from St. Joseph Catholic Church, TC starting at 3pm around Old Mission Peninsula. The Car Show runs 4-5pm in the St. Joseph parking lot. Free. stjosephtc.org
WELCOME SUMMER PARTY: 3-6pm, Somebody’s Gallery, Petoskey. Music, snacks, wine, artists to chat with, & many beautiful things to look at! Free. somebodysgallery.com
SUMMER SOLSTICE SLIP-N-SLIDE PARTY: 5-10pm, Mt. Holiday, TC. Bring your swimsuit & get ready to race down a 180 ft. slip-n-slide! There will also be a shorter one for younger kids. Enjoy live music from the Headwaters Band, a beer garden, zip line adventures, & more. Suggested $20 slip-n-slide donation. facebook.com/ events/2042235046328213
THE SERIES AT LAVENDER HILL FARM: 6-10pm, Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Enjoy Willow Avalon, who blends classic country, Americana, & pop influences. She has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert, & major festivals around the world. i.am.james will perform for The Series preshow. $25-$150. lavenderhillfarm.com
SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: THE IVAS JOHN BAND: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Enjoy St. Louis blues & roots music. Electric to acoustic. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com
CHELSEA HOUSE ORCHESTRA
Wednesday, June 24, 7:00pm
Come see some of the most talented high school students in the state play non-traditional Celtic-inspired arrangements.
Northern Michigan Brass Band
Sunday, May 4, 3pm • Northport Auditorium • Adults $15/all students Free Sponsor: Northport Lions
Voices of America by the Village Voices Saturday, June 28, 7:30pm•Northport Auditorium
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Sponsored by: Sherry Koenig
VILLAGE VOICES OF NORTHPORT:
Saturday July 26 and Saturday, August 2, 7:00pm Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Tuesday July 29 and Wednesday July 30, 7:00pm Adults $25/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free
SOL OF THE LOST TAMARACK MUSIC FESTIVAL: (See Fri., June 19, except today’s events start at noon.)
IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING WITH R.J. FIGURA: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. This local author will sign his debut novel, “A Murder in God’s Country.” horizonbooks.com/ event/2026-06-20/store-book-signing-rj-figura
VIRIDIAN STRINGS AT PINES OF ARCADIA: 7pm, Pines of Arcadia. Join the Oliver Art Center for this free performance. Reserve your ticket. Doors open at 6pm. oliverart.org
“PERE CHENEY: PLAGUE IN THE PINES” DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. The legend of Pere Cheney has long been one of Michigan’s most talkedabout ghost stories. Following the 80-minute screening, stick around for a 30-minute interactive Q&A with the filmmakers. GA: $15. artisanvillage.org/event/pere-cheney-plaguein-the-pines-michigan-premiere-screening
The Exuberance of Being Alive
Sunday July 27 and Sunday August 3, 2:00pm
Saturday, June 27, 7:30pm
Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Northport Auditorium
Spirit of America by the Northport Community Band
Saturday, August 23, 7:30pm •Northport Auditorium
Choral pieces, solos, and ensembles present a musical expression of our shared humanity.
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free Northport Community Band & Village Voices Holiday Concert
Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm
Tickets $15, $5 Student, Northport Students Free NPAC Auditorium at Northport Public School - 104 S. Wing St.
Northport Auditorium•Cookie Afterglow in the lobby
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker
Sponsored by: Northport Highlands Assisted Living & Memory Care
Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm• Northport Auditorium
Adults $20/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
Kent Holton Pavilion at Marina Park Band line up on the website STARTS JUNE 26
SAMELS FARM OPEN HOUSE: 1pm4:30pm, Samels Centennial Farm, Williamsburg. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities including kids games, displays of steam powered equipment, a blacksmith shop, horse-drawn wagon rides, an archaeology display, music, & more. Free. m.facebook.com/samelsfarm
HIGH-STAKES HORSE JUMPING: $116,500 MOLON EXCAVATING CSI3* GRAND PRIX: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed northern Michigan summer setting. Explore food & beverage options, shopping & open spaces throughout the venue. GA: $15. app. gopassage.com/events/spring-three-26
MOANA JR.: (See Thurs., June 18, except today’s time is 2pm.)
DAISY MAY & LITTLE DIPPER: 7:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. A prolific & passionate songwriter, Daisy isn’t afraid to say the hard thing. Also enjoy Little Dipper’s boot-stomping anthems & heartstring-pulling ballads. $25. gardentheater.org/comingsoon
FROM BOSTON TO BAY HARBOR: A NIGHT AT THE BALLET: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Featuring leading dancers of Boston Ballet alongside talented students from the Bay Harbor Ballet Intensive. Includes works by two American masters of choreography: George Balanchine & William Forsythe. Ticket holders are invited to join Ballet Coast to Coast Artistic Director Paul Craig onstage at 6:45pm for a pre-show discussion. Following the performance will be a celebratory reception. Tickets start at $48. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/boston-to-bay-harbor-26
DON’T STOP: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE: 8pm, Bay View Association, Petoskey. $0-$39. onthestage.tickets/show/bay-viewassociation/69bc55a6d584196804c4606c
sunday
FATHER’S DAY CARS & COFFEE: 8-11am, Greyson Clothiers, Harbor Springs. Enjoy free coffee at Lone Wolf Cars & Coffee. Show off your favorite ride from the garage, or just admire some incredible machinery.
WANDER WALLOON: MILL POND SUMMER SOLSTICE PADDLE: 9am, Walloon Lake. This guided outing includes a route into Mill Pond, where participants will see a quieter side of the watershed. Bring your kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. WLAC will have a few extra kayaks available for participants. Meet at the Stolt Road boat launch. Register. Free. walloon.org/allevents/?event=3731
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY FATHER’S DAY
ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., June 20)
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: (See Fri., June 19, except today’s hours are 10am-3pm.)
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: (See Thurs., June 18, except today’s hours are 11am4pm.)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., June 20, except today’s hours are 11am-3pm.)
SOL OF THE LOST TAMARACK MUSIC FESTIVAL: (See Fri., June 19, except today’s events start at noon.)
WALK AND TALK: AMERICAN TREE & POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Join a conversational tour of the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s current exhibits. Led by GAAC Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal. Free. glenarborart.org/ product/walk-and-talk-american-tree-poeticvisions-of-port-oneida
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: TC. Today includes an artist check-in; free duo artist demo at CTAC featuring Kevin Barton & Crista Pisano: “Two Takes; One Cloudscape.” Begins at 5pm; & sunset painting featuring Logan Hudson, Thomas Moberg, Kari Ganoung Ruiz, & Mark A. VanderVinne. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/paintgrand-traverse/pgt-event-schedule.html
SNIP, SNAP & SLAM: PRIDE MONTH POETRY EVENT: 5pm, TC Whiskey Co. - The Stillhouse. Featuring local poets & special guests Derek & Gleason. Derek Welch is what happens when a poet, a reverend, a queer, a daydreamer, an herbalist, a storyteller, & a human all try to incarnate at the same time. Gleason is a Michigan poet, songwriter, & performer with a compelling story & powerful voice. upnorthpride.com/ listevents/2026/6/21/sip-snap-slam-pridemonth-poetry-event
SOLSTICE ENSEMBLE: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Enjoy everything from baroque to tango with the unusual combination of flute, violin, recorder, cello & piano. A 2nd performance will take place July 16. Reserve tickets in advance. Free. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series
CHAMBERFEST 2026: PARKER QUARTET WSG CELLIST RAMAN RAMAKRISHNAN: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Enjoy this GRAMMY® Award-winning
quartet. The program will include Schubert’s Quintet in C Major. $25-$30. ci.ovationtix. com/36618/production/1270528?performanc eId=11788337
BAY VIEW VESPER CONCERT: 8pm, John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View. Take 5: A pinch of Brubeck, a dab of chamber music, & a dollop of vocal talent. $20-$23.50. onthestage. tickets/show/bay-view-association/69306e9 9625dbc59d8c14005
ongoing
OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Tuesdays, 10:30am, held outside the Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, overlooking the beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. These story times are geared toward prek to second graders & their caregivers, but fun for all who attend. sbbdl.org
PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: Saturdays, 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Israel continues committing brutal genocide in Gaza & stealing more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Elected leaders are owned by Israel as the Epstein files show. It’s up to ordinary people to insist on justice. Stand together every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net
NORTE: BIKES FOR ALL: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. Open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. Offering adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding. norteyouthcycling.org
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (ER): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Rotary Park, Elk Rapids. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/ balance-bike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (TC): Wednesdays, 10:30am-11:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/balancebike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7-ps3n57xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am through June. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area, Bellaire alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
farmers markets
BELLAIRE: Fridays, 8am-noon through midOct. at 102 S. Maple St. localdifference.org/ partner/bellaire-farmers-market/
BOYNE CITY: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-noon through mid-Oct. at Veterans Park, Boyne City. Featuring an array of goods from local small-scale farmers, artisans & entrepreneurs. July 4 & July 11 will be held at Old City Park. boynecityfarmersmarket.org
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Fridays, 8:30am1pm through Oct. 2, at parking lot of old Petoskey News Review building on corner of Howard & Michigan streets. After the first few
markets, it will eventually be located on Howard St. between Mitchell & Michigan streets. facebook.com/PetoskeyFarmersMarket
EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm, East Bay Twp. Offices, TC. Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade items & more while connecting with neighbors & supporting regional farmers & small businesses. Special events each week. eastbaytwp.org/ residents/food_security.php
EMPIRE: 10234 Front St., next to post of
fice, Empire. Held every Sat., June 6 - Aug. 29 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
HARBOR SPRINGS: Downtown Harbor Springs. Held every Weds. & Sat. throughout the summer, 9am-1pm, through Aug. 26, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 10. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. Select dates will have music & Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harborsprings-farmers-market-2026
HONOR: Tuesdays, 9am-2pm, June – Aug., Maley Park, Honor.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON INTERLOCHEN: Thursdays, 2-7pm through Aug. 27, 2112 J. Maddy Pkwy., Interlochen.
LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot, Leland. Held every Thurs. through Sept. 3 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
LONG LAKE: Haywood Park, TC. Runs ev
ery Thurs. through Oct. 1 from 9am-1pm. Held near the bocce ball courts.
NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET: 105 S. Bay St., Northport. Held every Fri., June 5 - Sept. 18 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
OLD TOWN EMMET FARM MARKET: 1322 Anderson Rd., Petoskey. Held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Oct. 10. facebook. com/oldtownemmetfarmmarket
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARM-
ERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon through Oct. at Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E. Grandview Parkway, TC. Also held here on Wednesdays starting in June from 8amnoon. It will take place on the ground floor of the Old Town Parking Deck during the National Cherry Festival. dda.downtowntc.com/ farmers-market
SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, North Park corner of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
art
KIRTLAND STUDIO OF ART & DESIGN EXHIBITION: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Explore the work created by students from Kirtland Community College. Runs through June 21. artisanvillage.org/events
QUIET OBSERVATIONS - BRUCE PEESO & JUDE POKORNY: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Partners in life & art, Jude Pokorny & Bruce Peeso are well known throughout the U.S. for their unique takes on the American landscape. The show runs through July 3. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: JENNIFER TOBIAS: Crooked Tree Arts Center, Libragallery, TC. My 45th Parallel Lives explores the landscapes & agricultural traditions of two
places the artist calls home: Northern Michigan & Southwest France. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/guild-popupexhibit-jennifer-tobias.html
2026 NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Village Arts Building, Northport. This annual exhibit, now in its ninth year, continues to grow in both artistic reach & visual diversity. It runs through June 13 with gallery hours Tues. through Sun., noon-4pm. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits -
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/modern-movement. html
- PLEIN AIR ADVENTURES: STUDENTS OF SUSAN GLASS: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition of unframed works brings together years of weekly painting, capturing the spirit & shifting seasons of northern Michigan’s landscapes. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/plein-air-adventures.html
- IN MOTION: MAKING ART DANCE: Held in Gilbert Gallery. A juried exhibition of movement inspired visual art pieces, sharing works that address questions such as, “How do artists today show the energy of moving bodies in paintings, sculptures, or films?” Runs through Sept. 5. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/in-motion.html
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- “AMERICANS”: This is a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street & the National Museum of the American Indian, which explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States. Runs June 19 - Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions
- CAROLINE MONNET: “THIS OLD HOUSE IS ALL WE HAVE” : Through the interplay of image & object, Monnet foregrounds the deep entanglement of economy, development, & the natural environment. The exhibition serves as a reminder that economic prosperity & urban expansion have historically been built upon the exploitation of land & the Indigenous peoples who have lived in relationship with it for generations. Runs June 19 - Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum. org/art/upcoming-exhibitions
- XAVI BOU: “ECHOES OF FLIGHT”: Artist Xavi Bou invites visitors to reconsider how we see the natural world—& how that way of seeing shapes our relationship to it. This exhibition bridges art, science, & environmental awareness through Bou’s innovative use of digital chronophotography. Runs June 19 - Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcomingexhibitions
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: PAINTING AND POEMS THAT REIMAGINE: Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this series of oil paintings & corresponding poems created by Grand Traverse County artist Wendy McWhorter. Runs through Aug. 27. GAAC is
open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-poetic-visions-of-port-oneida - AMERICAN TREE: BUILDING A UNITED STATE OF TREES: Held in Main Gallery. American Tree is an exhibit that explores the role trees played in the formation of the United States 250 years ago -- & the role trees will play moving forward into this nation’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs through Aug. 13. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-american-tree
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - 2026 SUMMER MEMBER SHOW: Runs through July 10. Featuring a wide variety of media & styles from OAC’s talented member artists, this fan-favorite show has something for everyone to enjoy. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart. org - BEYOND THE PRINT: Runs through June 19. Featuring works by regional artists who push the boundaries of printmaking. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
lOGY
JUNE 15 - JUNE 21
BY ROB BREZSNY
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Eastern monarch butterflies migrate annually from the American Midwest to central Mexico. The individuals who start the journey from Nebraska or Wisconsin die long before they reach the oyamel fir trees of Mexico. So do their children and their grandchildren. Their great-grandchildren finish the trip, though they have never been to the destination. Somehow they know where to go, navigating thousands of miles to trees they've never seen. Let’s apply this as a metaphor for you, Gemini. I suspect you are carrying navigational wisdom you didn't realize you possessed. Inherited knowledge, encoded deep in your secret places, is ready to guide you. So pay attention to inexplicable certainties. Trust the directions that arrive without logical explanation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Architects who design concert halls know that perfect sound isn't achieved through perfect smoothness. The best acoustics come from strategic irregularities, textured walls, and angled surfaces that distribute vibrations in pleasing ways. Too much uniformity creates dead zones and echoes; too much chaos creates muddle. Pleasing resonance arises from organized complexity. In my estimation, Virgo, your life is currently too smooth in some areas and too haphazard in others. You may need more strategic irregularity. Consider introducing productive unpredictability into relationships that have become too routine. Add inventive structure to efforts that have become shapeless. Don't aim for either total order or complete randomness. What will generate maximum beauty?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Have you ever been ambushed by unexpected bursts of gratification emerging from subtle miracles? Maybe a loved one finally grasps a truth you’ve been trying to convey for eons. Or you feel balanced in a situation that once made you feel lopsided. Or you grasp, with shivers of awe, that you got uncanny spiritual guidance at a key crossroads. I foresee at least three such blessings for you in the coming weeks. To ensure you recognize them, don't get distracted in the pursuit of splashy bonanzas and gaudy prizes. Be nimbly alert for subtle breakthroughs.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Emily Dickinson rarely left her family home but bequeathed us a marvelous body of lyrical work as she roamed through vast inner worlds. Sci-fi novelist Octavia Butler rose early to write before long shifts at low-paid jobs, imagining visionary futures during her limited hours to be creative. Lucille Clifton raised six children while shaping poems of distilled, luminous insight, showing us how to summon fierce originality from a life crowded with responsibilities. Moral of the story: Buoyant power can flourish even when circumstances are limited. This lesson may be relevant for you in the coming weeks. If conditions seem imperfect or incomplete, trust that your resilience and adaptability can compensate for external obstacles. have faith in your ability to generate useful beauty.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Our tongues are primed to heal astonishingly fast thanks to dense blood vessels, saliva’s repair proteins, and a rapid immune response. Wounds that would take more patience elsewhere can heal here in days. I suspect that your psyche now possesses your tongue’s high level of healing power. So I hope you will launch a phase of accelerated repair. Call on every possible form of therapeutic assistance, please!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Now is an ideal time to clear out old romantic karma from the past. Please consider performing a DIY ritual to release painful memories, leftover grudges, and long-standing hurts that keep tugging at your intimate connections. The coming weeks will also be a favorable phase to discard rigid beliefs about gender and dismantle anything that blocks you from experiencing fullbodied sensual and sexual delight. Expect to be freed from at least some energies that have limited your ability to explore fun and vigorous ways of savoring your desires.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I suggest you adopt a new honorary title like “Charm Weaver” or “Emissary of Radiance” or “Beauty Whisperer.” Why? Because hope it will help inspire you to stir up delightful play and lyrical mystery wherever you wander. For
instance: Infuse your conversations with sparkling harmony and sly, graceful humor. Burst into whimsical songs, fling out extravagant compliments, pose clever questions that spark fresh ideas, and call attention to systems and relationships in your world that are functioning wonderfully well. Many perks will flow your way as you do.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Is there a dream from childhood that you’re ready to revive on a higher octave? Think of something you longed for before the world told you to be boringly realistic: an art you wanted to practice, a way you wanted to live, or the kind of person you hoped to become. The question isn’t “Can I go back and do it exactly the same?” but “What is the mature, wiser, present-day version of that dream?” You might write in your journal: “The childhood dream I’m ready to lift to a higher octave is ______,” and then add, “If I took one concrete step toward it, what would it be?”
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries mathematician Paul Erdös lived without a permanent address, traveling the world to collaborate with other mathematicians. He owned little, claiming "property is a nuisance." His life was structured around doing mathematics and helping others do mathematics. He published over 1,500 papers, more than any mathematician in history. Was his minimalism a form of deprivation? I prefer to think it was liberation from everything that didn't serve his purpose. What would your life be like if you eliminated things that don't serve your deepest purposes, Aries? In the coming weeks, you have permission to be ruthless about your priorities. What are you maintaining out of habit rather than conviction? What burdens masquerade as responsibilities?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A friend told me about the creative writing class he took with renowned poet Brenda Hillman. "I recall being in class," he says, "and having the thought, wow, this teacher works far harder at teaching than I do at learning." Dear Taurus, please don’t indulge in a similar laziness anytime soon. Your educational opportunities are currently richer than usual. To extract the full benefit, you must match the verve and vigor of your teachers. (PS: The teachers may or may not think of themselves as teachers. They could even be animals, rainstorms, or ancestors.)
CANCER (June 21-July 22): A large earthquake doesn’t relieve stress evenly along a fault. Instead, it creates zones where stress is reduced and others where stress increases, making future ruptures more likely. So the stress is redistributed, but not uniformly. According to my reading of the omens, Cancerian, you recently experienced a metaphorical shake-up. I suggest you identify where stress has grown and where it has dissipated. Your next moves should account for this new distribution of pressure. Some areas of your life are now more vulnerable, while others have become more stable. Read the landscape accurately before proceeding.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Songbirds like zebra finches practice their melodies while asleep. Their vocal muscles move in ways that mirror daytime singing. These replay patterns help young birds learn their songs and adults maintain and refine their tunes over time. I suspect that you are engaged in a similar type of learning, Leo. You are enhancing skills and uncovering insights while asleep and dreaming. Bonus! Even when awake, you’re absorbing clues on a subconscious level. Your deeper intelligence is gathering information you will need for your upcoming breakthroughs. Hooray for mysterious help!
VETERANS, COME IN TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS!
LEELANAU VETERANS AFFAIRS
“Jonesin”
Crosswords
"Congratulations!"--there are a few in the grid. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Toughen
7. Band with the 2007 album "Oracular Spectacular"
11. Full-bore, on a musical score
14. For each one
15. Blues guitarist Robert
16. Louis XIV, par exemple
17. Steal a D+, perhaps?
19. Coffee vessel
20. Unflavored
21. Levitate
22. Flier in many Oregon Coast festivals
23. "Choosin' Texas" singer Langley
24. Three-sided sails
25. Arrive
26. Curtain holder
27. "Civilization" developer Meier
28. Ring newbie, maybe
30. "Have I Got News For You" airer
31. Lost it
32. Symbols representing Saint Petersburg two name changes ago?
36. Cushining material for floors
37. Oil drilling structure
38. Work on getting a head?
39. Achieve
40. Do some tailoring
43. Gather
44. "By gum!"
46. Island near Molokai
47. Speaker maker
48. Kicked out of competition, for short
49. Put on the appearance of
50. Choice connections
51. Singer Rawls evened out a yard?
53. Peace sign
54. Nearly spill over
55. "Semper Fi" follower
56. Mag figures
57. "West Side Story" gang
58. Declared
DOWN
1. ___Collins Publishers
2. 1960s-'70s space program
3. Coarsely irreverent
4. "Where the Crawdads Sing" author Owens
5. Arthur Laffer's specialty, for short
6. Novel
7. Periodic fast-food offering with pickles
8. Like some dairy animals
9. Crafted
10. Actor Sheridan of "Ready Player One"
11. Bag lunch item in plastic
12. Like ruby anniversaries and South Dakota
13. Gemstone quality
18. Electrical system
22. Saxophonist with a 1987 instrumental hit
24. Song in an ad
25. Olympic sprinting gold medalist Justin
27. Underwater characters of '80s Saturday morning TV
29. Michaelson asked last-minute to sing backup for Paul McCartney on the season finale of "SNL"
30. Clothing line
31. Method
32. Place higher than
33. Smitten
34. Some QB highlights
35. Exit with expletives, maybe?
39. ___ Wilson, aka Deadpool
40. "Yeah, I ___!"
41. One of the "Schitt's Creek" Levys
42. Spent after a run
45. Antiseptic targets
46. Ben Stiller's mom Anne
48. Canadian comedian Jon
49. "Animal House" group
51. Great Society monogram
52. Ball club VIPs
ALEXANDRA INN, TC
BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE:
Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7
APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC
6/14 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9
BONOBO WINERY, TC
6/19 – Mal & Mike, 6:30
BRADY’S, TC
6/20 – Craig Jolly, 6:30-9:30
CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE WINERY, TC
5-8:
6/13 -- Swingbone North
6/18 -- Elizabeth Landry
6/19 -- Jesse Jefferson
6/20 -- Jimmy Olson
ENCORE 201, TC
6/12-13 & 6/19-20 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
BEER GARDEN:
6/20 – Samuel Harness, 5-8
JACOB'S FARM, TC
6-9:
6/13 -- Jabo Band
6/14 -- Michael Hozz
6/17 -- Wink
6/18 -- Andy McQuillen
6/19 -- Tundratones
6/20 -- Agnes Su Band
6/21 -- Prima
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC
6/13 -- The Timebombs, 9:30 Mon. – DJ Trivia, 7-9
Tues. – The Will Harris Trio, 8-12
Weds. – The Pocket Band, 8-12
Thurs. – DJ Leo, 9:30-1:30
6/19-20 – The Ampersands, 9:30
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
6/13 -- The Simple Machines, 7
6/16 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9
6/18 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
6/13 -- Brett Mitchell & The Mitchfits 6/19 – Hazy Past 6/20 – Broom Closet Boys
STIGG'S GARAGE, CHARLEVOIX 6/13 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5
THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA
6-9:
6/13 -- Gemini Moon Band 6/19 -- Blair Miller 6/20 -- Joe Domanick
TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE 6/13 -- Karaoke, 8
TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7 TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG 6/13 -- Larz Cabot, 6-8
WANT TO RENT: House long term - pet friendly 231-434-2367 vsusanpudlo@yahoo.com rural area ok
HELP WANTED: Jeannine's Restaurant, Northport is hiring Servers! jeanninesnorthport@gmail.com
NMCAA DISCOVERY (TCHS) EARLY HEAD START
TEACHER: Early Head Start classroom of 8, infants and toddlers. Child Development Associate (CDA); Credential (Infant Toddler preferred). Fulltime, 41 weeks per year. $21.32-$22.32 per hour. EOE. For more details and to apply visit www.nmcaa. net select Careers/Search Jobs
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231-228-6248 SUMMER SERIES PRENATAL YOGA $15 DROP IN:: Tuesdays 6/16-8/4, 5:30pm,10781 E Cherry Bend Rd newmoonyogastudio. com/classes2 FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798 NIGHTLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY STAYS NEAR TC!: “The Suites” Turnkey Homes & Motel. Travelers/Construction crews 231-6335464
